World Autism Day is April 2, 2022. Designated by the United Nations (UN) to occur on April 2nd every year, World Autism Day promotes education, breakthroughs in treatment, and the families living with autism across the globe. This is the 15th anniversary of the UN’s resolution celebrating the day. Read on to find out more about World Autism Awareness Day.
What is World Autism Awareness Day?
According to the UN resolution, “The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) 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.”
Each year the UN supports a theme for World Autism Awareness Day. In the past, themes have included:
- 2012: Launch of Official UN Awareness Raising Stamp
- 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 Women and Girls with Autism
- 2019: Assistive Technologies, Active Participation
- 2020: The Transition to Adulthood
- 2021: Inclusion in the Workplace
- 2022: Not announced yet
Why Do We Celebrate Autism Awareness Day?
Autism Awareness Day recognizes how autism impacts families and children diagnosed with it on a global scale. Celebrating the day includes events at the local, regional, and national levels and conferences and speeches internationally. Some of the local events you’ll see celebrating autism awareness include:
- Art projects from children with autism
- Communities hosting walks to fundraise for autism research
- Wearing blue on April 2nd
- Hosting fundraising campaigns for local non-profits
What Colors Are for Autism Awareness?
Blue, in all its different shades, is the color associated with autism awareness.
Why Is It Important to Spread Awareness About Autism?
Unless you’re diagnosed or are supporting a child with autism, you may not understand what autism is and how it impacts someone’s view of the world around them.
By spreading awareness on World Autism Awareness Day, people learn more about what autism is and how they can support the people with autism in their community. This education is critical to increasing fundraising for autism organizations in local communities and providing public support for scientific and medical research.
How Can Autism Awareness Be Improved?
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with autism, you can spread the word not just on Autism Awareness Day but throughout the year.
If you’re attending events, reading news articles, or supporting a charity, you can share what you’re reading or doing with your family, friends, and the community around you.
The more people understand what autism is and how it impacts families, the more they’ll be willing to donate time, money, and more to organizations that support autism treatment and research.
Some of the ways you can improve autism awareness in your community include:
- Continue to educate yourself and others
- Attend local events and exhibits about autism
- Advocate for children and adults with autism
- Speak up by writing or calling your state representatives to fund research and how pending legislation might affect people with autism
- Being a role model with how you speak about autism, using language that’s inclusive and encourages those with autism
World Autism Awareness Day Resources
Learn more about World Autism Awareness Day here:
- UN: This is the official website from the United Nations discussing the background of World Autism Awareness Day.
- Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks focuses on sharing information on how the community can get involved with awareness for the entire month of April, not just World Autism Day.
- Autism Europe: Autism Europe provides communities in Europe with information about how to get involved locally, a calendar of events, as well as a wealth of information on European autism initiatives.
Ascend Autism encourages you to look locally for autism events, exhibits, and more to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.
Ascend Autism Supports World Autism Awareness Day
Ascend Autism supports children with autism and families with ABA autism treatment options, parental support services, and more.
We strive to fill a gap in the Northeast United States for those looking for autism treatment and support – something every corner of the US should have for children and families living with an autism diagnosis. On World Autism Awareness Day and every day, Ascend Autism strives to educate and encourage everyone about autism and its treatment options.
