RED BANK — Frank Talk Art Bistro and Books on Shrewsbury Avenue will host a panel discussion about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 3 p.m. April 9. The panel will be followed by a book signing with author Rasheedah Saleem-Muhammad, whose book “Pedro Visits the Aquarium” focuses on an issue that is affecting many families.

Joining Saleem-Muhammad on the panel will be Valerie Trower, a public health adviser for the state Department of Health and Human Services. Trower’s son was born with autism in 1982 at a time when there was little information on ASD. Trower was determined that her son would live up to his full potential, according to a press release from Frank Talk.

Rounding out the panel will be Safiyyah A. Muhammad, who serves as a Consumer Advisory Council member of the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, UMDNJRobert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick. She is the mother of five children; her 12-year-old child is autistic. The family was recently featured in “Decoding Autism,” a documentary that aired recently on New Jersey Network (NJN). A representative from Autism New Jersey will also be available at the event.

The aim of the discussion is to raise awareness and share resources and technology with parents, teachers, caretakers and any family struggling to decipher the mystery of autism.

The discussion will be followed by a book signing with Saleem-Muhammad, a special educator.

Frank Talk Art Bistro and Books is located at 163 Shrewsbury Ave. To reserve a seat, call 732-747-2572.