A Bismarck mom hopes she has come up with a solid idea to continue raising awareness of autism and to create acceptance.

“My daughter Isabella was diagnosed with autism when she was three and a half years old. She is seven now,” says Lindsay Turnbow. “As a mom, I’m always looking for ways to increase acceptance and awareness of Isabella and others like her.”

She has embraced the rock painting and hiding craze and is asking others to join her. Lindsay believes the rocks could be stepping stones to understanding.

“My hope is that we can get lots of autism awareness rocks hidden around the community, and when kids find these rocks they’ll ask their parents about autism. I hope these rocks can spark a conversation about what autism is and lead to a better understanding. Awareness is starting to improve in our community, so now it’s time to work on acceptance. Some of my daughter’s behaviors may seem odd to other children, but once they get to know her and understand why she does certain things, they don’t seem so strange.”

Lindsay is a board member of the local nonprofit BisMan Autism Families and is working to organize the group’s third annual Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness event. The event will be held Saturday, April 7 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Horizon Middle School in Bismarck. You can paint your own rock at the event. Learn more about the event on Facebook; search BisMan Autism Families.