Words Bookstore Lights it Up Blue for Autism Awareness

Words, Maplewood's homegrown bookstore that serves as a beacon for families in the autism community, is hosting a full roster of events for April's Autism Awareness Month.

On the calendar:

• Autism Technology Workshop with TCI specialist Randy Palmer, April 4 at 7 p.m. Learn about apps to support those with autism in the home, school and community.
• Silently Seizing with author Caren Haines, R.N., April 7 at 2 p.m. The book explores the little-known connection between autism and seizures.
• Autism: The Scientific Truth with author Dr. Robert Melillo, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The latest research on the role of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.
• Second Sundays: Dancing with Dancer's Pointe, April 14 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. 
• Totally Chill with author Dr. Christopher Lynch, April 24 at 7 p.m. A stress management workbook, for use by children with autism and anyone else.
• Sally Sore Loser with author Dr. Frank J. Sileo, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. 

For more information and details on events, visit the [words] website.

Owner Jonah Zimiles said these offerings -- and the numerous author visits, book signings, discussions and workshops the store holds each month throughout the year -- help to draw hundreds of visitors both from Maplewood and across the state.

"We are grateful to the community for making people with autism feel so welcome and integrated," said Zimiles. He praised town officials, including Mayor Vic DeLuca and SOMSD Superintendent Brian Osborne, who have shown their support by speaking at store events.

"What it means to people with autism is major; it says that they are a central part of the fabric of the the community and [they] are glad we are here," said Zimiles.

When Zimiles and wife, Ellen, opened the store four years ago, their mission was to provide a place where children with special needs would feel welcome and to provide retail job training for people with autism. Since then the store has employed more than 25 people on the autism spectrum.

"We are trying to convince other businesses to do this," said Zimiles, who has previously described the store as "an expression of faith in the community."

For Zimiles, his interest in serving the autism community is both professional and personal: his 17-year-old son, Daniel, has autism. In fact, Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, recently featured Jonah and Daniel in its nationwide fundraising letter.

Each year on April 2, World Autism Day, Autism Speaks sponsors Light It Up Blue, a global initiative that helps "shine a light" on the growing public health concern of autism. Iconic landmarks around the world like the Empire State Building are lit blue to show support.

In its front window, Words Bookstore has its own blue light, which will be lit every night throughout the month. 

In the letter, Jonah Zimiles is quoted as saying, "We have had some tough times, but in the last few years we have seen significant progress...What we have learned from Autism Speaks and what families need to know is that progress is a marathon, not a sprint."