HERNANDO Hundreds turned out on the historic Hernando court square for the first annual celebration of "World Autism Awareness Day."

City buildings were bathed in blue light and blue ribbons were tied around the courthouse columns in the event christened "Light It Up Blue."

Approximately one in 110 children and young adults will be diagnosed with the behavioral condition known as "autism."

Face painting, informational booths and other activities called attention to the disorder for which there is no known cause.

Children with autism often have difficulty emotionally connecting with peers and family members.

However, many autistic children do well in mathematics and other disciplines and function well in certain settings.

DeSoto County has one of the most highly touted autism early intervention programs in the country.

Each year, Wayne Bartley and others help stage the "Let A Kid Be A Kid" fund raiser for autism research and educational programs.

The annual benefit has amassed more than $100,000 over the past decade and counting.

"As far as anyone knows, this was the first Light It Up Blue event in the State of Mississippi," Bartley said. "The real heroes of the event were Holly Neel and the Hernando High School Interact Club. The kids did all the work. They set up a Facebook page and let people know. It was amazing. They really embraced it."

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Autism Day draws hundreds