Intrepid Marks Autism Awareness Day With Exhibit
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An interactive exhibit at the Intrepid is helping New Yorkers better detect the signs of autism.
In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, the museum unveiled a new 3-D exhibit Saturday.
As part of the exhibit, visitors can try to engage a life-sized image of a girl who avoids eye contact – a common indicator of autism.
Advocates say autism awareness has grown in recent years, and this campaign is another step to increase understanding.
"Our children are in school with autistic kids, our children have them in the neighborhood," said autism advocate Susan Deland. "They know about autism and they're much more understanding. They really just need to be told, 'Diane thinks a little differently and sometimes she has a hard time, and therefore you need to be more understanding and see if you can help her.'"
At Saturday's opening a fifth-grade choir from Pelham, New York, performed their song, "Light It Up Blue." The song, which has made a splash on the Internet, was written by a ten-year-old for a choirmate who has autism.
The Intrepid is one of many landmarks worldwide that will be lit up in blue light for autism awareness this week.