Courthouse going blue to promote autism awareness

By Angela Guillory
aguillory@casscountynow.com

For the third consecutive year, organizers will light the Cass County Courthouse blue for autism.
Linden resident, Shirley Baker will have a short program on the courthouse steps at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 in an effort to bring awareness to autism.
Baker knows firsthand the challenges a parent faces in raising a child with disabilities. She also knows there are more resources available than there were more than 20 years ago when her son was diagnosed with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Baker hopes through awareness and educational programs, more parents will become aware of valuable resources available to them to assist with parenting skills and dealing with the day-to-day life challenges of raising a child with autism.
“It was so helpful to live in this community because people have been so supportive throughout the years as I have raised my family,” Baker said, with appreciation.
“Light it up Blue” is a global initiative to help raise awareness about the growing public concern that is autism.
The seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day will be celebrated Wednesday, April 2. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.
Numerous other iconic landmarks around the world will “light it up blue” to show their support.  
The public is encouraged to take part in this special event and light their homes, yards, whatever blue.
What is autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, leisure activities, and imaginative play.
The disorder makes it difficult for them to communicate and relate to the outside world. People with autism may exhibit aggressive and/or self injurious behavior, repeated body movements, unusual responses to people, resistance to changes in routine, and unusual attachments or interests in objects. Autism is a spectrum disorder. Symptoms can vary greatly from mild to severe.
Autism is the second leading childhood developmental disorder behind Down’s syndrome. It is a complex neuro-developmental disorder present throughout the lifespan. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including PDD-NOS and Asperger’s syndrome. Although the classic form of autism can be distinguished from other forms of autism spectrum disorder, the terms are often used interchangeably.
For more information about autism, visit the Web site at www.autismspeaks.org.