Scott shines the light on Autism Awareness Month Published April 27, 2016 By Senior Airman Jake Eckhardt 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- April is Autism Awareness Month, and the light at the historic Scott Gate has been shining blue with support all month. In addition to showing support with blue lights, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and Chapel staff handed out blue light bulbs to anyone who wanted one, as well as invited families to add their loved ones name to a wall they entitled "Someone with Autism makes me smile." The base also held the 5th annual Autism Awareness Walk at the Youth Center April 23. The volunteers to help spread awareness say it's more important than ever before, because of the increasing numbers of people diagnosed with autism. According to the Center for Disease Control, one in 150 children born in 1992 were diagnosed with autism. In a similar study accomplished in 2004, that number had grown to one in 68 children. Brenda Reed, 375th Force Support Squadron family support specialist, said, "Autism is increasingly affecting more children. Knowledge is powerful and learning how to interact with people of different abilities is an invaluable trait for people in society." The goal of the volunteer group is to teach or inspire, even if they only reach one person. Alice Howe, Autism Awareness Month volunteer, said, "It only takes one person with a voice and a common goal to get individuals involved. We do not have to educate the masses; we can do it one person at a time."