In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, Elizabeth Board of Education President Jerry Jacobs, Board members Diane Barbosa and Iliana Chevres, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Jennifer Cedeño, and Director of Special Services Diana Pinto-Gomez visited several schools that house the district’s autism program. Among the schools visited were Toussaint L’Ouverture – Marquis de Lafayette School No. 6, Elmora School No. 12, Victor Mravlag School No. 21, and Chessie Dentley Roberts Academy School No. 30. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today, including 1 in 32 children in New Jersey.