Politics & Government
Livingston Marks Autism Awareness
Township council honors autism and developmental disabilities awareness.
The Livingston Township Council marked World Autism Awareness Day and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by presenting the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities with two plaques on Monday.
Autism, a neural brain development disorder, affects about 1 in every 88 children, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention website. About 1 in 6 children in the United States have a developmental disability, according to the CDC website.
Mayor Stephen Santola praised the volunteer efforts and work of the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities, which has helped organize activities and programs for children and adults with special needs.
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Several members of the committee thanked the Township Council for the support.
Member Madeleine Goldfarb said the township's community spirit has been "wonderful" in helping those with autism and other developmental disabilities. She said her son, who is now 18, has been able to play varsity football and head off to community college and she called him an example "of what can happen when a community comes together."
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The Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities plans to hold a fund raiser next week "Shine A Light on Autism Night," said committee member Maureen Chase, who handles publicity and outreach.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. April 23 at the gazebo in the oval park on Robert Harp Drive. Participants are encouraged to wear blue to show support for autism awareness and activities include a walk, music by West End and face painting, Chase said.
Blue glow sticks, lanterns, t-shirts, bracelets and magnets will be available for sale and proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, an autism science and research organization, and Include Me, a new peer mentoring program for children of all abilities that started in Montvale and coming to Livingston , said Pam Tepper, a LACD member.
For more information about "Shine a Light on Autism Night," call Tepper at 973-534-9956.
For more information about the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities, call Chase at 973-309-2552.
