The University of Missouri and the city of Columbia celebrate today World Autism Awareness Day.
MU’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 205 Portland St., joins a host of sponsoring partners to promote the day.
Select campus and Columbia buildings will be lit in blue to promote acceptance and awareness with the worldwide autism community. Many area participants will wear blue T-shirts designed by a Thompson Center staff member. The event is part of the international Light It Up Blue campaign.
Truman the Tiger and his young friend TJ the tiger cub will take part in an awareness event at 6 p.m. at the MU Student Center, where the winning video from the Autism Awareness PSA Video Contest will be screened and prizes awarded to attendees. At dusk, participants will walk to Memorial Union.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Thompson Center’s sponsoring partners are Alternative Community Training, Boone County Family Resources, Easter Seals Midwest, MU Disability Center, MU School of Health Professions, Services for Independent Living and Woodhaven.