On Monday, April 2, families and friends of people who are impacted by autism will join together in front of Clock Tower Place in Maynard to watch the town clock turn blue to raise awareness of Autism in the community.

Adding itself to the list of international landmarks including the Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building and many more, Clock Towers blue lights will be a symbol that Maynard supports our community members who are impacted by autism, a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges.

Light It Up Blue is an international campaign created by the organization Autism Speaks.

Jae Mannion, a student at Fowler School and who has Aspergers Syndome, a type of autism, organized the Maynard event. Jae has made collection tins to raise money to pay for the plastic tube covers for the 48 lights, which light the clock every evening. The cost of the tubing is $284. Kevin Whalen, owner of Stow Ace Hardware, has helped support Jae in his efforts. Kevin and his wife Melissa, have a son, Ty, who has a severe form of autism.

According to the group, Autism Speaks, autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children; one in 70 boys in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. The mission of Autism Speaks is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. The organization is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

The community is invited to watch the clock turn blue at 7 p.m., Monday April 2 in front of Clock Tower Place. Anyone can Light It Up Blue by purchasing a blue light for their home at Stow Ace Hardware. Maynard and Stow students are encouraged to wear blue to school on April 2.

For more information visit lightitupblue.org or email Danielle Mannion at dmannion@millisps.org.

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Shine a light on autism in April