Anderson Center for Autism Lights It Up Blue

STAATSBURG, NY, April 24, 2014 (Press-News.org) Originally started by the Autism Society in the 1970s, the month of April continues to serve as National Autism Awareness Month with the intention to bring to light the growing need for concern and awareness surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This special month has afforded countless opportunities for nearly 40 years and counting. Sadly, though autism has become increasingly common (now affecting 1 in 68 U.S. children according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in comparison to the 1 in 2,000 statistic of the 1970s) this increase may also be reflective of the growing awareness of the condition.

That is why local agencies and non-for-profit organizations like Anderson Center for Autism continue their mission to foster independence and advocate for the children and adults on the spectrum who cannot voice themselves.

On Friday, April 25th from 4:30 to 7:30 PM, Anderson Center will be holding their "Light It Up Blue" event in honor of National Autism Awareness Month at local Hyde Park bar and restaurant, Darby O'Gills. Join Anderson Center in spreading the awareness our community deserves. Open to the public, the event will feature a relaxed happy hour with beer and wine and expanded buffet dinner. Tickets are $25 per person with $10 of each sale donated to support the school, residential and extracurricular programs at Anderson Center. K104 will be broadcasting live from the event and have generously donated four tickets to this year's KFEST as one of our door prizes! We encourage you to wear blue to show your support of our loved ones on the spectrum.

Don't know anyone affected by autism? Your ticket donation and word of mouth helps more than you think! Did you know that families with one child on the spectrum spend an average of $17,000 per year for care? Your ticket donation can help ease that burden. And while no one is exactly sure what causes autism, many studies show that early detection can significantly affect the success of a child's future. Spreading the word can make all the difference in an early diagnosis and opportunity for help sooner.

Help Anderson Center help make a difference and join them Friday, April 25th at Darby O'Gills located at 3969 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park. Please RSVP for the "Light It Up Blue" event to Kelly Dooley at KellyDooley@ACenterForAutism.org. For additional event information, visit their Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/AndersonCenterForAutism.

Can't make the event? Your support is welcome throughout the year! Anderson Center's 90th anniversary provides more opportunity for advocacy and partnership this year than ever. Anderson Center welcomes you to attend any of their upcoming events this April:

Thursday, April 24th: Hyde Park Chamber breakfast/Anderson Center for Autism
Friday, April 25th: Light It Up Blue Happy Hour/Darby O'Gills
Saturday, April 26th: Hudson Valley Region Special Olympics Track and Field event/West Point
Sunday, April 27th: Hudson Valley Autism Society Walk/Dutchess County Fairgrounds

To learn more, call 845-889-4034 or visit http://www.AndersonCenterForAutism.org.

About Anderson Center for Autism
Anderson Center for Autism is New York's premier autism treatment and care center. It is a not-for-profit organization located in picturesque Staatsburg, N.Y., dedicated to providing the highest quality programs possible for both children and adults with autism. It employs nearly 800 specialists who are expertly trained to diagnose, treat, and care for adults and children on the autism spectrum.