On the nights of April 1 and April 2, significant St. Louis landmark structures and businesses will be lit in blue to raise awareness of autism. The St. Louis-based architectural firm HOK is mobilizing businesses and civic organizations to illuminate structures and fountains. In addition, residents are being asked to join in the effort, even if it's a single blue bulb lighting a porch. Home Depot is offering blue light bulbs with a percentage of the sales benefiting Autism Speaks. More information can be found at www.lightitupblue.org.

In the United States, autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children, including one in 70 boys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

"With prevalence of autism today, it is likely that most St. Louisans know a family struggling with the developmental disability," said Barb Goode, the St. Louis manager for the annual "Walk Now for Autism Speaks" annual walk in Forest Park. "So, we anticipate many will join us in this symbolic effort to show their support for those families."

To date, the landmark structures and businesses that will feature blue illuminations are:

• Civil Courts Building, 10 N. Tucker in Downtown St. Louis
• Soldiers Memorial, 1315 Chestnut in Downtown St. Louis
• Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
• Missouri History Museum at Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Building (formerly the Woolworth Building), 501 North Grand at Grand Center
• Chase Park Plaza, 212-232 N. Kingshighway Blvd in the Central West End
• Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, 600 Washington in Downtown St. Louis
• Lumen Event Space, 2201 Locust St. in Downtown St. Louis
• The Corner Building, Skinker and Delmar in St. Louis
• Lighting Associates Office, 3216 South Brentwood Blvd in Webster Groves
• Maryland Park West in Clayton
• Tower Grove Park Ruins in St. Louis
• New Horizon Dental, 245 Salt Lick Road in St. Peters
• Comic Book Relief, 2224 North 3rd St. in St. Charles

"We greatly appreciate the efforts of HOK and others in the lighting community to turn the nights of April 1 and 2 into a showcase of our structures and landmarks to spotlight our region's support for families with autism," said Goode. "We also want to thank Home Depot for providing blue lights for residents who want to participate as well."

In addition to the lighting, schools are being engaged to support the effort by encouraging students and teachers to wear blue.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. For more information about involvement in the St. Louis Chapter of Autism Speaks, visit www.autismspeaks.org.

Photo: The HOK Lighting Group in St. Louis tested a number of blue color filters for Autism Speaks' Light in up Blue campaign, which will spotlight autism awareness by lighting significant landmarks in blue for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2011. HOK will light the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park in the blue color shown in the image. Photo courtesy of Autism Speaks - St. Louis Chapter.

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