Sleepy Hollow hosted a walking event Sunday in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

Dozens of people in blue autism awareness shirts held balloons as they walked along Beekman Avenue.

Sonia Lopez Gonzales is the mother of a 14-year-old girl who was diagnosed with autism.

"It is very challenging because, of course, you have to deal with getting them to understand the world in their terms," Gonzales said. She took part in the Autism Awareness Walk because she said it is important to create awareness.

"Having an event like this, bringing awareness -- it's amazing because a lot of people are not familiar still with what it means to live with autism," she elaborated.

Organizer Kim Kaczmarek said the Autism Awareness Walk was held in partnership with the Sleepy Hollow Policeman's Benevolent Association.

"We're trying to let everybody see what people can do. We're also trying to raise awareness so that employers will start hiring people with disabilities because the unemployment rate is about 80% for that community,” she said.

Although ability levels can vary, the American Psychiatric Association describes autism spectrum disorder as a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior.

The association says about one in every 100 children is diagnosed with autism.

The diagnosis did not stop 21-year-old Ethan Donn, of White Plains, from playing the National Anthem on a violin at Sunday's Yankees game, which was in observance of World Autism Day.

The Yonkers City Hall clock tower was illuminated in blue Sunday night for Autism Awareness Day.

Autism Awareness Month continues through Sunday, April 30.