Gaithersburg To Mark Autism Awareness Month

Blue lights will shine on City Hall in April to recognize Autism Awareness Month in Gaithersburg, the city announced.

A proclamation will be presented to Melissa Porter, a local ambassador for the Autism Speaks “Light It Up Blue” awareness campaign during the April 2, 2013, Gaithersburg mayor and City Council meeting.

In December, 2007, the United Nations declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day. In the United States, the month of April is dedicated to spreading awareness, recognizing that early diagnosis is key to providing the necessary resources and supports to children and families. 

To promote awareness, Autism Speaks launched the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, a global initiative to shine a bright light on autism as a growing public health crisis. 

Kim Rowse, a Gaithersburg parent of an 11-year-old son with autism, said she's happy Autism Awareness Month exists, but she wishes it had started much sooner.

"Today, I can almost look at a child and see if he or she may be on the [Autism] spectrum," Rowse said. "Back [in 2002 and 2003] I had no idea that the cute little quirks my son was displaying were actually signs of autism. Early diagnosis and interventions are so important and Autism Awareness Month is shining light and raising awareness across the country."