(Suffolk County, NY) – Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge will be lit blue from April 2-9 in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 68 child born is affected by the developmental disability.
“Autism affects many families here in Suffolk County. While there is no known cause or cure for it, public awareness is a key component to educating those who may not be familiar with autism, including information pertaining to early warning signs, treatment options and educational opportunities,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “We will light the building blue once again this year to promote autism awareness and to show our support for those who are affected by the condition.
The announcement comes on the eve of the one year anniversary that County Executive Bellone signed the “Light it up Blue” legislation into law, which was passed unanimously by the Suffolk County Legislature.
In 2015, County Executive Bellone and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern hosted 13-year-old Suffolk County resident Nova Shek and her family, along with autism awareness advocates and community members, at the H. Lee Dennison Building for an illumination ceremony in recognition of Shek’s advocacy on behalf of her younger brother, Zen.
For more information on the County’s initiative to promote autism awareness, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov or www.facebook.com/stevebellone.