This year, the Memorial Union is proud to announce that it is participating in Autism Speak’s “Light It Up Blue” Campaign. Light It Up Blue, in its third year, is a unique global initiative by Autism Speaks to help raise awareness about the growing public health concern that is autism. On April 2nd, Iconic Landmarks around the world will “Light It Up Blue” to show their support for the campaign. Autism is a general term for a spectrum of developmental brain disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Autism is a pervasive disorder, with symptoms that persist well into adulthood. An estimated 1 in 110 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum - a 600 percent increase in the past two decades that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis. On World Autism Day, April 2nd 2012, the Memorial Union will be “Lighting up Blue” to show its support to those affected by autism spectrum disorders.