If you noticed an abundance of blue in your travels this weekend, you can chalk it up to “Light It Up Blue,” a worldwide event held to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday. In addition to people wearing blue shirts and buttons, prominent buildings around the world – including New York’s Empire State Building, Sydney’s Opera House and Toronto’s CN Tower – were colored with a wash of blue light.

All of this was done to help signal the start of National Autism Awareness Month, observed in the U.S. during the month of April since the 1970s. Organizers hope the theme will help raise autism awareness in communities around the country.

Autism, a complex developmental disability that typically appears in children during their first three years, affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It is defined by certain behaviors and affects children differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism.

Roughly 1.5 million individuals suffer from autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Statistics indicate that the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10 percent to 17 percent yearly.

“Every April we recognize National Autism Awareness Month and the special challenges faced by those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “CDC estimates that an average of 1 in 110 children in the U.S. have an ASD. At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we continue to strive to meet the complex needs of all people with ASD and their families.”

While there is no cure, autism is treatable and recent studies indicate that early diagnosis and treatment lead to positive results.

Symptoms, which range from mild to severe, can include:

• A lack of or delay in spoken language
• Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
• Little or no eye contact
• Lack of interest in peer relationships
• Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
• Persistent fixation on parts of objects

Currently, there is no medical test for autism, forcing parents, teachers and health-care professionals to make a diagnosis based on observed behavior and educational and psychological testing.

Considering all of the variables about autism, it is critical that communities take the time to educate themselves about this disability. Make April the month to learn about autism and issues facing the autism community by visiting www.autismspeaks.org.