World Autism Awareness Day: Moving Toward Acceptance

World Autism Awareness Day, celebrated on April 2nd, is an official holiday declared by the United Nations to raise awareness and bring attention to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). People with autism may need additional support systems to navigate society, and raising awareness of the condition can promote advocacy by and for Autistic people. Learning more about autism spectrum disorder and ways to better support Autistic people can be a meaningful way to mark World Autism Awareness Day. For more information about autism spectrum disorder and respectful advocacy, or for guidance in living with or supporting those with autism, it may be helpful to consult a licensed therapist.

What is autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder, often referred to as autism, is typically categorized as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Neurodevelopmental disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), are generally defined as conditions with symptoms and characteristics that typically emerge during the developmental period. Child development experts have determined that this time frame usually encompasses the ages of zero to six years old.

Although symptoms of ASD may become apparent for some people with the condition during early childhood, they may not be obvious in other Autistic people. Some people with ASD may not receive a diagnosis until adolescence or even adulthood.

Autism symptoms usually fall into one of two distinct categories:

• Difficulties with social communication and social interaction
• Restricted and repetitive behaviors

Examples of difficulties with social communication and interaction can include the following:

• Lower levels of eye contact
• Unusual body language, postures, and gestures
• Overly literal language interpretation (failing to understand language nuances such as sarcasm, irony, figures of speech, etc.)
• Becoming exhausted or anxious prior to or after experiencing social interaction
• Using verbal communication that does not match up with nonverbal communication, such as smiling while expressing sadness
• Difficulty in recognizing that behavior and demeanor may need to be adjusted in different social situations – for example, someone with autism may speak to their friends in the same way they speak to an authority figure

Examples of restricted and repetitive behaviors can include the following:

• A need to adhere to a strict daily routine and distress if the routine is disturbed
• Regular use of self-stimulatory behaviors, typically referred to as “stimming” – common examples include rocking back and forth, spinning in circles, or flapping one’s hands
• Difficulties with major life transitions, such as starting a new job, moving out of one’s parents’ house, graduating college, etc.
• Rigid thought patterns
• Sensory sensitivity
• Interest areas that are considered unusual in their focus and intensity

Autism spectrum disorder can serve as an example of a neurodivergent condition, meaning that it tends to be related to different functional processes in the brain, and as such, there is generally no cure for this disorder. Many people with autism view their autistic traits as core parts of their identity and selfhood, however. Support systems in education and employment settings can help Autistic people navigate societal obligations and live happy, healthy lives. 

What is World Autism Awareness Day?

World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated each year on April 2nd. In 2008, the United Nations formed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to “promote, safeguard, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” 

Because of the work of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations General Assembly designated April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in the same year. 

Purpose of World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day is primarily intended to “highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.” 

The United Nations has designated 279 days of the year as official United Nations days, and 12 of those days are largely dedicated to increasing support, understanding, and acceptance of health concerns, including developmental disabilities. These health-focused United Nations days include those listed below: 

• World Down Syndrome Day
• World Tuberculosis Day
• World Health Day
• World Chagas Disease Day
• World Malaria Day
• World Hepatitis Day
• World Duchenne Awareness Day
• World Mental Health Day
• World Diabetes Day
• World AIDS Day
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• World Autism Awareness Day

Encouraging society to become more accepting of autistic people and other neurodivergent individuals so that they can reach their full potential can be a meaningful goal for the international community as a whole. 

Ways to honor World Autism Awareness Day

If you would like to participate in World Autism Awareness Day, there may be several ways for you to mark the occasion in a manner that is supportive of people with autism.

• Educate yourself about autism spectrum disorder, particularly the ways in which autism can differ from the “conventional” conception of the condition, especially in women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Discuss relevant information about autism and neurodiversity on social media.
• Advocate for more community support systems for autistic people.
• Encourage acceptance and understanding of ASD in addition to raising awareness of the condition.
• Learn about the differences between person-first language (i.e., people with autism) and identity-first language (i.e., Autistic people).
• Support autism self-advocacy efforts.
• Talk to other people about the experiences of adults with autism, as much of the current discourse on autism can be focused on children with autism and their parents/caregivers.
• Look into ways to provide support systems for Autistic people who may have co-occurring conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, or intellectual disabilities.
• Learn more about the history of the disability rights movement and disability advocacy in general.
• Advocate for accommodations for people with autism in both workplace and educational settings.
• Amplify the voices of people with autism, as they tend to be best equipped to communicate the needs of Autistic people.

Please note that it can be important to support autistic advocacy organizations that are led by people with autism. Autism Speaks, for instance, is an organization that has historically been led by parents of people with autism, not Autistic people themselves.

Understanding neurodiversity and disability advocacy

Living with autism or advocating for increased acceptance for people with autism in a society that can be exclusionary to neurodiverse people can be emotionally exhausting. If you are looking for additional support in educating yourself and others about autism, it may be helpful to speak to a therapist.

Benefits of online therapy

Traditional in-person therapy sessions may not be set up in a way that is most reachable for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Experiencing sensory overload and navigating complex social situations may lead Autistic people to avoid seeing a therapist in a traditional office setting. In these situations, online therapy could be a helpful alternative option. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Research has indicated that online therapy can be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy. Research suggests that it can provide valuable professional support to people with autism and other developmental disabilities. One study noted that completing a course of online therapeutic treatment typically improved mental health outcomes for people with autism spectrum disorder. If you’d like to seek help with concerns related to living with autism, you may benefit from speaking to an online therapist. 

Takeaway

World Autism Awareness Day can raise awareness of the challenges people living with autism spectrum disorder may face in navigating a society that is often set up for neurotypical people. Learning more about autism and listening to the needs and advocacy efforts of Autistic people themselves can be helpful ways to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day and encourage the development of a world that is accepting and inclusive of everyone. For professional help related to living with autism or any mental health challenges, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist online or in your local area.