@state April 2014 - Autism Awareness

Campus will “Go Blue” for Autism Awareness

Illuminating campus minds about autism and people in the community with the disorder will take on a new hue when several campus buildings are lit blue on April 9 as part of Autism Awareness month.

Student Disability Services, with financial support from the university, will be sponsoring an evening event culminating in the lighting of several buildings, including Hepner Hall, blue to highlight autism awareness. The evening’s event will begin with a lecture by Beth and Thomas Selbe. Beth is the advocacy chair for the Southern California chapter of Autism Speaks and mother of Thomas, who has autism. At 7 pm on April 9 at Scripps Cottage the mother-son team will talk about living with autism.

Following the Selbe lecture, attendees will be invited to don blue glow necklaces and count down to Hepner Hall lighting up blue at 8:30 pm.

“People frequently hear about autism, but often don’t know much about the disorder. This awareness event is just one opportunity we have to give the campus community more information on autism,” said Pamela J. Starr, director of Student Disability Services. “We hope the campus community will come to our event to gain insight into the disorder and show support for those in our community who have autism.”

For more information, please contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473.