This is the second year that the Autism Research Center is looking to raise awareness of autism by lighting up several buildings blue around the campus and Chapel Hill.

Last April, the Morehead Planetarium, Carolina Inn, Carolina Coffee Shop and Google building participated by lighting their establishments with blue lights, and this year the Autism Research Center hopes to partner with them again.

April’s LightUNCBlue campaign is connected to GiveUNC on the 9th, so that’s when the blue lights will go up this year.

Allison Zoller, project manager at the Autism Research Center, said the center works not only in genetic research but also in services for individuals with autism, including parents with children with an autism diagnosis.

“It’s very good for us to be able to talk with them about their choices of intervention and their particular child’s symptoms or difficulties.”

The Autism Research Center also provides training to students interested in careers related to people with autism.

Laura Klinger, co-director at the Center, said it is an exciting time for autism research. She said there is a great focus on understanding autism across the lifespan. That means support for folks from a young age into adulthood.

“I don’t think we ever want to limit where we want children to have an autism diagnosis to be able to go with their lives,” Klinger said. “I don’t think the diagnoses of autism should limit hopes and dreams for the future.”

You can find more information about UNC’s Autism Research Center here.

Related Stories
‹
The Morning News: Trails, Trials, and Property Revaluations
In today's news: nonprofits work to transform Chapel Hill's Lower Booker Creek Trail, and Orange County reexamines its property revaluation.
The Morning News: Alert Carolina, Armed Robbery Arrest, Seth Jarvis Helping Kids
In today's news: UNC students raise concerns about Alert Carolina, and Chapel Hill police make an arrest in yesterday's armed robbery.
The Morning News: New CHCCS Board Member, Newmark on UNC Football Probe
In today's news: the CHCCS board appoints a new member, and UNC athletic director Steve Newmark addresses the recent football investigation.
The Morning News: Chatham Vs. Enbridge, 53 CHCCS Applications, UNC Falling
In today's news: Chatham County Commissioners take a stand against the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline.
UNC Football Players Charged with Carrying Concealed Handgun, Speeding After Traffic Stop
UNC football player Keeyun Chapman was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun and teammate C.J. Sadler was cited for speeding during a traffic stop Tuesday night in Chapel Hill. The police report for Chapman’s arrest notes the traffic stop took place at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at 9:30 p.m. The charge against him […]
How OWASA's Reclaimed Water System Extends the Lifespan of Local Water Sources
Built 17 years ago to improve the community’s drinking water resilience, it has saved the county billions of gallons of drinking water. 
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
Merritt's Grill Opening Second Location in Chapel Hill; Einstein Bros. Bagels Opening First
Merritt’s Grill, whose BLT sandwiches have been a staple of the Chapel Hill culinary scene since the restaurant opened in 1992, is opening a second location at Finley Golf Club. The restaurant will provide dine-in, to-go and catering services inside the newly refurbished Finley clubhouse and will be open to both players and non-players. An […]
The Morning News: Legion Road, ArtsOrange, Jason Johnson, Bill Belichick
In today's news: Chapel Hill provides an update on the future of its 36-acre property on Legion Road, with a pond slated for removal.
PlayMakers' Summer Youth Conservatory Celebrates 20 Years with Run of 'Hello, Dolly!'
This year marks 20 years of Chapel Hill’s Summer Youth Conservatory, offered through PlayMakers Repertory Company.
›