Tami Gordon’s class at Lyman Hall Elementary School lit the sky up blue on April 2, to promote Autism Awareness on World Autism Day. The month of April is Autism Awareness Month. Gordon was joined by LHES principal McRae Mangum, support staff, family, friends and students in a collaborative effort to promote Autism Awareness in the school and community. In order to do so, the students released blue balloons as a way to “Light it up Blue.” The hallway and front of the school was covered in blue in a show of support for World Autism Day. Parents and students were able to enjoy refreshments after the balloon release.

According to autismspeaks.org, “Autism spectrum disorder – ASD – refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated one in 59 children in the United States today.” The website also states that there are numerous subtypes of autism along the spectrum. “The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged,” according to austimspeaks.org. 

Children with ASD can be diagnosed as young as 2 years of age, the website states, adding that early intervention can help individuals with ASD later in life.