Autism Speaks Official Blog

Light It Up BLUE for autism awareness April 1st & 2nd (Living Lake County)
On the evenings of April 1 and 2, 2011, prominent buildings across North America and the world — including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada — will turn their lights blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 2. Read more.

Mother sets out to buy iPads for other autistic children (Times Reporter)
Tara Oathout couldn’t believe it. Her son, Grady Oathout, who will turn 4 in August, was asking for fruit after just getting back to grandma’s house after lunch at a restaurant, where he had eaten more than anybody at the table. Read more.

For those with autism, documentary offers new hope (Montpelier, Vt.)
A new documentary about autism is making unlikely stars out of two Vermont men who don’t speak much but still have a lot to say. Read more.

McDonnell seeks to amend bill providing insurance for autistic children (The Washington Post)
Virginia Gov. Bob Mc­Don­nell will propose a series of amendments to a bill that would require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism, according to several legislators with knowledge of the changes. Read more.

Quake looter says police beat him (New Zealand)
Police have been accused of assaulting an autistic man who looted an Addington home after the February 22 earthquake. Read more.

Wind gust blamed for fatal SD capsize (San Diego, Calif.)
A sailing accident in San Diego Bay that killed the uncle and grandfather of a special needs child on a charity boat trip was caused by a gust of wind that caught the jib, the only sail that was raised at the time, the president of the charity’s board said Tuesday. Read more.