SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University’s College of Health, Environment and Science and College of Education are combining efforts this year to offer a daylong autism workshop April 2 designed to help SRU students better understand the disorder and how they can further increase awareness among others.

The month’s first of three events will run from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., in the Smith Student Center Ballroom. The events are part of April’s national Autism Awareness Month.

Speaking will be Maureen Ziegler, who received her undergraduate degree in special education from SRU in 1985 and a year later earned her master’s degree in special education social restoration at SRU. She is a nationally recognized speaker and intervention specialist.

Registration is required and may be completed by e-mailing jah4341@sru.edu.

Autism spectrum disorder and autism are general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.

These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

ASD affects more than 3 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide.

Light It Up Blue

A second program April 2 will be the traditional Light It Up Blue event scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at SRU’s Storm Harbor Equestrian Center.

The program will involve the parks and recreation department’s TRAILS — Therapeutic Recreation: Accessing Independent Leisure and Social Skills — program.

Those who are clients in the program and their families will participate by lighting blue lights as a way of increasing autism awareness.

5K run/walk

The month’s other program, hosted by the TRAILS, will be a TRAILS 5K and 3K run/walk at Storm Harbor on April 18.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. with registration. The race starts at 9 a.m.

Registration costs $20 in advance and $25 the day of event. Door prizes and T-shirts are included.

Contact www.GivetoSRU.org/trails. Additional information and registration forms are available at srutrails5K@gmail.com.

Proceeds from the walk/run will support campus programs for youth with autism spectrum disorders.