Seventh grade teachers ask their students to perform a group service project as a means of giving back to the community.

In core classes such as social studies, language arts, science and math, students learn to problem solve, and autism is a global issue everyone should be concerned with, said Justin Arifaj, seventh grade teacher.

Arifaj also said autism was chosen because of the overall lack of knowledge about this disability and with the Autism Speaks Walk being held April 25 at Dorney Park in South Whitehall, the idea just made sense.

So, the Northwestern Lehigh Middle School students participated in Autism Awareness Day April 2.

They were asked to wear blue in celebration of Light it Up Blue and they participated in an assembly where they learned about Autism Speaks and the Light it up Blue program, which is recognized on seven continents, 101 countries, 1,300 cities and 8,400 landmarks and buildings.

During the assembly, the students learned they will be participating in the Autism Walk from 5:30-8 p.m. at the park.

Seventh grade was split into two teams: Team Mosaic and Team Roar. Each team was asked to raise $1,000 for their walk.

After the assembly, the students tie dyed their shirts for the walk.

They also attended a presentation by Merrie Hrinkovich, middle school guidance counselor, to help them increase their awareness of the experience individuals with autism may have and how frustrating and overwhelming it could be for them. Students were given a piece of paper telling them the role they would play in the exercise.

Hrinkovich described the exercise. "Person 1 is the individual with autism," she said. "Person 2 uses an index card and rubs it lightly on Person 1's neck.

"Person 3 reads a children's book next to Person 1 loudly.

"Person 4 taps Person 1 on the head and shoulder throughout the exercise and Person 5 reads the paragraph Person 1 was supposed to be listening to and trying to comprehend."

After the exercise, the students discussed how they felt when they were Person 1.

More than half the class said they could not stand the constant noise around them when they played the role of Person 1, the autistic person.

Hrinkovich also told the students people with autism are uncomfortable around others. They don't understand sarcasm and jokes and have trouble ignoring sounds and movement.

They don't understand social rules and don't always show affection; struggle with control of the feelings. They don't know how to make and keep friends; and are often resistant to changes in their lives.