7 Ways to Celebrate World Autism Day
What is World Autism Awareness Day?
World Autism Awareness Day aims to shine a light on autism to increase awareness about life for Autistic adults and children. Organizers hope to impart knowledge about Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) around the world and spread information on how important it is to detect an early diagnosis in particular.
It’s also an event used for tackling misinformation and myths about living with autism. This includes the often touted statistic of boys being more likely to get diagnosed with autism. While boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism, it’s believed this comes down to girls often being under-diagnosed.
Autism affects both men and women of all races in all countries. It has an especially large impact on children and is a very common condition. This is precisely why raising awareness of ASC is so important!
World Autism Day is celebrated each year on April 2. The United Nations’ member states recognize it as a day to acknowledge and advocate for the rights of individuals with autism around the world. The goal of World Autism Day is to increase awareness about Autism signs, symptoms, and information.
Here is how you can participate: Find ways to celebrate differences and promote kindness and inclusivity in your community and encourage others to do the same.
Here are 7 ways to celebrate World Autism Day:
1. Read a Book About Autism
Books featuring characters with autism are an easy and entertaining way to introduce the topic of Autism to your children. Read our latest blog on the 6 Children’s Books about Autism.
2. Learn About the History of Autism
Doctors have come a long way since 1908, when the word autism was first used. Have a look online at the history of autism spectrum disorder. A detailed timeline can be found at thespectrum.org.au.
3. Light It Up BLUE
Autism Speaks, one the largest autism advocacy organisations in the world, encourages people to participate in their “Light It Up Blue” campaign in April for autism awareness. Wear blue, use blue light bulbs in your home, or change your social media profiles to blue to spread awareness. In many cities, businesses will light their building up blue. Search for spots in your community that are going blue! If there aren’t any, reach out to your local government or businesses to see if they are willing to light up blue.
4. Find Sensory Toys and Tools that Help
For children with autism, keeping focus can be challenging. Paying attention is a skill that can be developed overtime. Check out some of our favourite sensory products it the Sensory Space.
5. Support Autism-Friendly Businesses and Employers
There are many businesses actively working to creating an Autism Friendly environment. The Autism Friendly Charter is an initiative in partnership with the autism community that aims to ensure that individuals on the autism spectrum, their families and other supporters, feel welcome, included and are able to participate in the community. They offer a free, 60 minute online course for businesses. Through their course participants will gain:
An understanding of the autism spectrum
Strategies for making your business, organisation or workplace more autism-friendly
The enthusiasm to join the Autism Friendly Charter and create a more inclusive world
They also have a full directory of Autism-Friendly Businesses and Employers, here.
6. Spread Awareness in Your Community
Be an autism advocate and spread awareness in your own community. Learning more about autism, showing your support, raising awareness, donating to charities and organisations that support individuals with autism, or participating in fundraisers are all simple ways to get involved and spread awareness in your own community. Reach out to family, friends, coworkers, and neighbours to get involved, too.
7. Read, Watch, or Listen to Something Created By a Person With Autism
Exposing yourself to experiences from individuals with autism, are important. They are a look into the gaze of someone diagnosed with autism and allow you to gain a better understanding of one’s reality. Read books & listen to podcasts by Autistic people to get a better understanding of a life on the autism spectrum
When is World Autism Awareness Day held?
Since 2007, World Autism Awareness Day has been celebrated on 2 April, during which we celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of Autistic people. During this time, many schools and awareness organisations also hold events to increase knowledge and understanding of Autism. In 2022, Autism Awareness Day will be on Saturday 2nd of April.
World Autism Awareness Day was established in 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly, who declared that Autism Awareness Day would be celebrated on 2nd April every year.
What is the theme for World Autism Awareness Day?
Every year since 2012 the UN has given a theme as we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. So far, these are the themes that have been celebrated:
2012 - Awareness Raising
2013 - Celebrating the ability within the disability of autism
2014 - Opening Doors to Inclusive Education
2015 - Employment: The Autism Advantage
2016 - Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity
2017 - Toward autonomy and self-determination
2018 - Empowering Autistic Women and Girls
2019 - Assistive Technologies and Active Participation
2020 - The Transition to Adulthood
For 2021 & 2022, the UN decided on “Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World” as the theme for World Autism Awareness Day. The reasoning behind this choice is that with the pandemic highlighting some glaring issues that have existed for years and years, it’s worth using this time to reflect on them and take practical action to deal with them. For those with autism, this includes a more understanding work environment and inclusive employment programmes.
Find out more at autismawareness.com.au.
