HEALTH & WELLNESS
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
Blue looks good … APRIL IS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
By Vicki Bennington
Autism was first given a name in 1944 . That doesn ’ t mean it didn ’ t exist prior to that year , but it was not recognized as a disorder before Leo Kannera , who was the first physician in the United States to be identified as a child psychiatrist , described it more than 70 years ago .
Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete
Awareness has greatly increased in the subsequent decades , but there is still a long way to go . Every year , Light It Up Blue takes place on World Autism Awareness Day ( April 2 ). The Light It Up Blue campaign was launched in 2010 by Autism Speaks , the world ' s largest autism science and advocacy organization . To celebrate Light it Up Blue , landmarks , skyscrapers , schools , businesses and homes shine blue lights , and people around the world wear blue all day to honor everyone who is affected by autism .
Many celebrities participate in the online # LightItUpBlue campaign as well ; some because they are philanthropic-minded ; some because they or their child are personally touched by autism spectrum disorder .
Jenny McCarthy became an advocate when her child was diagnosed with autism , and she served as a spokesperson for Talk About Curing Autism , an organization that provides information , resources , and support to families affected by autism . McCarthy ’ s book , “ Louder than Words : A Mother ’ s Journey in Healing Autism ,” chronicles the journey through her son ’ s diagnosis , care and development .
Actress Holly Robinson Peete ’ s son , RJ , was diagnosed with autism at age 3 . She has become a dedicated advocate , forming the HollyRod Foundation , along with her husband , NFL quarterback , Rodney Peete . The family stars in the reality show , “ For Peete ’ s Sake ,” on OWN .
Authors like Jane Austen and Emily Dickensen , though not diagnosed in their lifetime , are believed by Aspergers ’ researchers , to have had Asperger ’ s syndrome .
Other celebrities with ASD are musician Ladyhawke ( Pip Brown ), diagnosed with Asperger ’ s syndrome , as was singer Susan Boyle . Actress Daryl Hannah , who was diagnosed with borderline autism as a child , now believes it would be called Asperger ’ s today , citing her extreme shyness all of her life , and gatherings like the Academy Awards as excruciating for her to attend . Musician and Golden Globe-nominated actress Courtney Love was diagnosed as mildly autistic .
Photos by Kwaku Alston , courtesy of OWN : Oprah Winfrey Network
84 GAZELLE STL