County Courthouse to go 'blue' for autism

By Bobby Horn Jr.

news@casscountynow.com

 LINDEN-- During the week of March 30 through April 2, Cass County’s Historic Court­house will turn blue. No, this is not a left-over April Fool’s Joke.

Commissioners Court, earlier this month, ap­proved a proclamation designating April 2, 2016 as “World Autism Aware­ness Day.”

In the past, the county has recognized the day. However, this year the celebration will last all week.

Commissioners ap­proved a request from Shirley Baker to extend the “Light It Up Blue” display from one day to four days. Baker, is a co­ordinator with Commu­nity Services of North­east Texas, Inc.

“It (Light It Up Blue) really brings the group together,” Baker said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Cass County has partic­ipated in the observance for the past four years.

A “Light It Up Blue” ceremony will be held on the courthouse steps on April 2, beginning at 7 p.m. The ceremony will feature guest speak­ers from throughout the county. Representatives from organizations that provide mental health services are also expect­ed to attend.

Baker encourages the community to come out to the event, and wear “blue” in honor of au­tism awareness.

“Light It Up Blue” is an international initia­tive created by the orga­nization Autism Speaks which spotlights World Autism Awareness Day.

According to Autism Speaks, “World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), celebrated each year on April 2, was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis.

Autism is one of only three health issues to be recognized with its own day by the United Na­tions. WAAD activities increase world knowl­edge of autism and im­part information about the importance of early diagnosis and early in­tervention. Additional­ly, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism around the world.”

On World Autism Awareness Day, thou­sands of iconic land­marks, communities, businesses and homes across the globe unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families around the world affected by autism.

In observing the day, Cass County’s court­house will join in­ternationally-known landmarks such as the Empire State Building in New York, Christ The Redeemer statue in Rio de Janero, Brazil and Japan’s Tokyo Tower in “turning blue.”

Autism spectrum dis­order (ASD) and autism are the general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain devel­opment. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by dif­ficulties in social inter­action, verbal and non­verbal communication and repetitive behaviors, according to Autism Speaks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says an that esti­mated one out of 42 boys and one in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States alone. An estimated three mil­lion individuals in the U.S. are affected by ASD, says the CDC.