DEWITT, Mich. — April is Autism Awareness Month and April 2nd is World Autism Day, which is why one local family is lighting up blue to spread awareness and acceptance.
It was an initiative started by their 8-year-old daughter who wanted to do something in honor of her two brothers who both have autism.
FOX 47 News's Alani Letang talked with the family.
"She has probably one of the hugest hearts out of anyone that I've ever met and it actually is heartwarming. Especially because autism is just so near and dear to us," said Greg Powers, father of children with autism.
Out of the 4 Powers family children, two of them have autism, 18-year-old Zach and 13-year-old Spencer. Spencer's twin sister Bailley is credited with spreading autism awareness one blue light bulb at a time.
"One of the things we feel we've been called for is to spread autism awareness. So it was her idea to get as many people to join in spreading awareness as possible," said Powers.
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is described as a broad range of conditions often characterized by challenges in social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech communications. There is no one type, but many.
"If you've met one person with autism, then you've met with one person with autism," said Powers.
Spencer has Asperger Syndrome, he's high functioning. The family said Zach is on the opposite end of the spectrum with goals of welding after high school.
Bailley first started the blue lights in 2014 with just their street, now five years later they have reached almost their entire neighborhood.
"Seeing the support from our neighbors, friends, and family is just an amazing thing. We are grateful that our neighbors are able to put the blue light in and help support not only our children but to the community and to the world," said Powers.
The blue light bulbs not only spread awareness but starts a conversation.
"Putting a different color porch light in kind of gets your attention. So even if one person asked how come you have a blue light in your porch light then we can explain it," said Powers.
"And I think it brings it to full circle that there needs to be acceptance and awareness and understanding," said Heather Powers, mother of children with autism.
The Powers family is not asking for donations for the light bulbs.
Instead they're encouraging people to donate to:
Mid-Michgian Autism Association
The CDC says one in 59 children in the United States is on the autism spectrum.
Experts say some of the stigma comes from the fact that there are so many forms and varying degrees of autism.
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