Governor Daugaard, Mayor Huether proclaim April as Autism Awareness Month. State Capitol, Crazy Horse Monument & Falls Park to be lit blue in recognition
Coming on the heels of measures passed during the legislative session in Pierre to help individuals with Autism, our state is coming together to recognize those who have Autism Spectrum Disorders in the month of April.
In Pierre, Governor Dennis Daugaard has declared April as Autism Awareness Month, recognizing that Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, and that the efforts to address autism are critical to the health of the state. In Sioux Falls on April 5th, Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether will present an autism awareness month proclamation at the City Council meeting that day at Carnegie Hall.
And, as South Dakota leaders light the way for autism awareness, so too will South Dakota landmarks be lit to remind residents of their fellow citizens who suffer with autism. In Pierre, the rotunda floor of the State Capitol building will be lit blue in recognition of Autism Awareness Month, and in Sioux Falls on April 2nd, the Falls will be lit blue to remember those with autism, courtesy of Sioux Falls resident Alan Swanson who has a grandchild with Autism.
The national Autism Speaks organization also announced today that the Crazy Horse Memorial in Custer will light up blue for World Autism Awareness Day as well. The monument will be lit up starting around 10 p.m. on April 2. Admission to the memorial will be waived after 6 p.m.
April also marks the Blue Bash for Autism Awareness at Augustana University, as they celebrate World Autism Awareness day. Augustana is also hosting the “Lighting the Way Autism Conference” June 9-11th.
South Dakota lawmakers have been taking affirmative steps in recent years to address care for citizens with autism, such as helping parents’ insurance coverage address treatment for autism, as well as conducting two studies towards that goal. South Dakota legislators also recently passed the SD ABLE Act, a measure creating a savings program for parents of children with disabilities, allowing them to save towards their future needs.
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