--- title: Light It Up Blue! description: David and Mercedes Rizzo discuss Autism Awareness Day and share some challenges families face when a child has autism. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/03/29/light-it-up-blue#) # Light It Up Blue! Mar 29, 2017 1:00:20 PM  |  by [David and Mercedes Rizzo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/david-and-mercedes-rizzo) [!["Light it up blue" by David and Mercedes Rizzo (CatholicMom.com)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/LIght-it-up-blue-1.jpg?width=800&height=800&name=LIght-it-up-blue-1.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/LIght-it-up-blue-1.jpg) Copyright 2017 David and Mercedes Rizzo. All rights reserved. April is Autism Awareness month. People all over the globe will be* Lightning It Up Blue* to shine a bright light on autism on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2nd. So what exactly is Autism? Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that there is much variation in the way that it presents itself. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects an individual's social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive or restrictive behaviors. The incidence of autism is high. 1 in 68 children in the United States will be given this diagnosis. We know this disorder all too well as our daughter Danielle was diagnosed with non-verbal autism shortly after her 4th birthday. Perhaps, you know someone with autism. Perhaps there is a family in your parish with autism. **Here are some things to keep in mind during this month of autism awareness:** 1. Families of children with autism are dealing with a lot. They are doing the best they can under very trying circumstances. 2. Families are often under severe stress. They may feel isolated, exhausted and overwhelmed. They may not know where to turn for help. 3. They may be undergoing struggles regarding their faith. 4. Sometimes it's challenging just to get out the door with their child with autism. They are often concerned about noise, crowds, and other sensory issues. They may be worried that their child will be disruptive to others. 5.  They know that some people will misconstrue and attribute their child's behaviors to "bad parenting." [tweet "A kind reaction can make a big difference! #autism #lightitupblue by @DaveandMercedes"] So in honor of Autism Awareness month let's all do our best to be attuned to the challenges people with autism and their families face. Given the statistics there is a high likelihood that you will come across someone with autism in your travels whether at the store, school, church, even at the park or beach. Your kind demeanor and reactions can make a big difference! When you see others *lighting it up blue *on April 2nd, you will know that they are doing this to shine a bright light on autism on World Autism Awareness Day. [!["Light it up blue" by David and Mercedes Rizzo (CatholicMom.com)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Light-it-up-blue-2.jpg?width=800&height=800&name=Light-it-up-blue-2.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Light-it-up-blue-2.jpg) Copyright 2017 David and Mercedes Rizzo. All rights reserved. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F03%2F29%2Flight-it-up-blue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F03%2F29%2Flight-it-up-blue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F03%2F29%2Flight-it-up-blue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Light%20It%20Up%20Blue%21) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F03%2F29%2Flight-it-up-blue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F03%2F29%2Flight-it-up-blue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![David and Mercedes Rizzo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/DAVID%20AND%20MERCEDES%20RIZZO.jpeg) ### [David and Mercedes Rizzo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/david-and-mercedes-rizzo) David and Mercedes write and speak from a faith perspective as parents of a child with autism. They are available to speak, and have appeared on radio and other media. Visit [DavidAndMercedesRizzo.com](http://davidandmercedesrizzo.com) to learn more. Follow them on Facebook at [Autism With The Rizzos](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-With-The-Rizzos/281489198616138?ref=tn_tnmn). Authors of *Praying For Your Special Needs Child*, (Word Among Us Press) and [*Spiritually Able* and *The Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit*](http://www.loyolapress.com/search-result.aspx?s=rizzo) (Loyola Press). ## Related Blog Articles [ April Is Autism Awareness Month Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/03/23/april-autism-awareness-month) [ Reflections on World Autism Day Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/reflections-on-world-autism-day) [ Trick or Treating, and Autism! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/10/26/trick-treating-autism) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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