April is Autism Awareness Month

 

For the sixth year in a row, Autism Speaks will be hosting Light It Up Blue on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2^nd. Light It Up Blue is a campaign to honor of people with autism worldwide like myself. Each year thousands of buildings are lit up and events are held to help with the campaign!

 

Here are 5 ways you can get involved on the big day to help everyone who has autism…

5. Raise Awareness with Blue!

 

Someone once said “ignorance is just a lack of awareness.” Help us spread autism awareness by distributing information about autism, World Autism Awareness Day and Light It Up Blue in your establishment, neighborhood or company.
And we can help! We have field staff all across the United States ready to help support your efforts! Invite a local Autism Speaks representative to speak to your staff, school or town about autism and the Light It Up Blue campaign.

4. Support Blue!

Consider supporting Autism Speaks! You can make a donation or even host your own fundraising event for the month!

3. Post Blue!

Social media is a great way to help get the word out about Light It Up Blue! For example, last year World Autism Awareness Day was trending on Facebook and Twitter.
One big way you can help is by turning your Facebook or Twitter profile picture blue! Another way which is new to the Autism Speaks campaign this year is our LIUB Selfie Sign which you can download here. You can personalize your sign and tell us where you are lighting it up blue this year by taking a selfie! Post these photos on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram or Flickr with the hashtag #LIUB to be a part of the global autism awareness movement!
For those who want to take it a step further, you can even turn your website blue! Our Site It Up Blue kit gives a great run down of how you can make this a reality!

2. Wear Blue

One of the easiest ways you can Light It Up Blue is by rocking your blue clothes! Ask family, friends, coworkers and staff to wear blue - it can be ties, scarfs, shirts, you name it!
Need something blue? Our Autism Speaks e-Store has our lapel pins, bracelets and other blue accessories that you can wear throughout the month.

1. Light it up Blue!

There were over 10,000 events and buildings that went blue last year! By lighting it up blue on April 2^nd and throughout April, we can start a conversation towards helping individuals with autism.
There are several ways you can make this happen. First, you can change outdoor or indoor light bulbs to blue bulbs. Second, you can tint windows with blue gel sheets. Third, you could cover existing fixtures with blue gel filters. Finally, you can light it up blue by posting the Autism Speaks puzzle piece or Light It Up Blue logo on walls or buildings by downloading them here.

No matter what you can do for April 2^nd and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April, we hope that you will help us shine a light on all of those individuals affected by autism out there!Growing up, I wish we had a campaign that would bring up the topic of autism on a national level. We now have that and I’m glad that we can be a part of this for years to come!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

#LIUB #April2nd #WorldAutismAwarenessDay

How will you Light It Up Blue? Learn more about the campaign at www.autismspeaks.org/LIUB and register today!

No matter what you can do for April 2^nd and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April, we hope that you will help us shine a light on all of those individuals affected by autism out there!
Growing up, I wish we had a campaign that would bring up the topic of autism on a national level. We now have that and I’m glad that we can be a part of this for years to come!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

 

Information shared from Autism Speaks Website.

 

For more information on Autism please contact:

Kristen M. Ostrander

Educational Advocate at The Arc of Orleans County

(585) 589-1750 ext. 2231 or via email at kostrander@arcoforleans.org

Or go to Autism Speaks or Autism Society.