Light It Up Blue to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month with Navicent Health
In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month this April, and in support of families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disorders, Autism Center, Atrium Health Navicent (ACNH) will host the following community events:
"¢ Sensory Friendly Showing of Dreamwork's Boss Baby
o Saturday, April 1
o 11:30 a.m.
o AmStar Cinemas (5996 Zebulon Road, Macon)
o Sensory-friendly movies are screened at a softer volume, with lights up. Those in the audience are welcome to sing, dance, express themselves and move about.
o Call ACNH at 478-633-8118 for free tickets, while supplies last (limit two per family).
"¢ April PEP Talk
o Tuesday, April 11
o 6:00 p.m.
o ACNH (1014 Forsyth Street, Macon)
 Parking is available in the Yellow Parking Deck.
o Jennifer Thomas, EdS, CCC-SLP will present "Intro to Augmentative and Alternative Communication."
o PEP Talks are hosted monthly to provide support and training for families living with ASD and other developmental disorders.
o While PEP Talks are free, registration is encouraged. Please contact Autism Center, Atrium Health Navicent at 478-633-8100 or at autism@navicenthealth.org to register.
In addition to these two events, ACNH invites the community to join the global movement to "Light It Up Blue" on Sunday, April 2, World Autism Awareness Day. People are encouraged to use the color blue to raise awareness of ASD and foster greater understanding and acceptance. For more information and creative ways to "Light It Up Blue," please visit www.autismspeaks.org/liub.
ASD is a developmental disorder that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 68 children in the U.S. have been identified with ASD, a disorder that affects all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. If you suspect that your child may have a developmental disability, or if your child has been diagnosed with a developmental disability, contact ACNH at 1-844-482-2264 to learn about the options and services available for families.
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent was incorporated on November 17, 1994, as a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to coordinate the Medical Center, Navicent Health and other affiliated entities in their mission of providing a comprehensive continuum of high quality, reasonably priced healthcare services to the region. Atrium Health Navicent has 830 beds for medical, surgical, rehabilitation and hospice purposes. The health system includes The Medical Center, Navicent Health, a nationally recognized tertiary teaching hospital; Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, the region's only dedicated pediatric hospital; Medical Center of Peach County, Atrium Health Navicent, a rural critical access hospital; Rehabilitation Hospital, Atrium Health Navicent, the region's oldest and most experienced rehabilitation provider; Pine Pointe, Atrium Health Navicent, which provides palliative and hospice care in homes and in its facility; Carlyle Place, Atrium Health Navicent, the area's first continuing care retirement community; Navicent Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Atrium Health Navicent; as well as diagnostic and home care services. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.