You might have noticed that the art murals on the Tom Landry Highway (Interstate 30 as it runs through the Arlington entertainment district) are cast in a blue light these days.

While Arlington's always happy to celebrate all things Dallas Cowboys blue, the colored lights in this instance are actually part of the City's effort to recognize Light it Up Blue, a public education month designed to increase awareness of the impact of autism spectrum disorders and the collective needs of the millions of people affected by them worldwide.

Each April, in conjunction with World Autism Day and Autism Awareness Month, Autism Speaks conducts the public awareness campaign designed to increase understanding of the growing public health crisis that Autism Speaks believes the disorder represents.

During Light it Up Blue, landmarks around the world, along with individuals, retail partners and corporations, are asked to turn their lights blue or wear blue clothing to help fund the "valuable mission of Autism Speaks, and to advocate and lend their voices to call on elected leaders to develop and implement a comprehensive national plan to address autism,' said Heather Chandler of Autism Speaks.

"In 2012, more than 3,000 iconic buildings and landmarks in over 50 countries on six continents turned their lights blue in commemoration of World Autism Awareness,' said Chandler.