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CHARLESTON,
WV - Governor Jim Justice declared April Autism Awareness Month. Each
April 2nd, Autism Speaks celebrates the start of its signature campaign,
Light It Up Blue.
"Autism
has touched many families in West Virginia, including mine," Governor
Justice said. "It is important to raise Autism Awareness, not
only in April, but year round. Autism is the fastest growing
development disorder in the U.S., affecting 3 million people. We hear
more talk of Autism nowadays not only because of the great efforts to make
people aware, but because the numbers just keep growing. Today,
prevalence of Autism is 1 in 68 births. That's nearly doubled from
2004, which was 1 in 125."
He
also said that both awareness and support is key because Autism can affect
anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic
background. The porch of the Governor's Mansion will be lit up blue
throughout the entire month of April in recognition of Autism Awareness.
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