World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day History

World Autism Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to improve the lives of those who live with it. Autism refers to a lifelong brain development disorder that affects social interactions, learning, routines, and communication. ASD is a broad term that also includes autistic disorder, certain pervasive developmental disorders, and Asperger syndrome. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that 1 in 59 children in the US have ASD. Further, they estimate the prevalence of ASD to be between 1-2% for children in Asia, Europe, and North America.

World Autism Awareness Day was designated by the United Nations in 2007 to help end stigmatization and discrimination against those with autism. It is part of the UN's Agenda for Sustainable Development, which pledges to leave no one behind. World Autism Day is observed annually on April 2nd.

Facts about World Autism Awareness Day

• The theme for World Autism Awareness Day in 2024 was Colour.
  In 2023, the theme was Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking.
• According to the CDC, around the globe, autism is more common among children born to older parents or those with a family history of the condition.
• According to a report by the CDC in 2022, there were 5.4 million adults in the U.S. have a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. About 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with Autism in the United States each year.
• According to autismspeaks.org, drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism in the US.
• Who do you think made the first stone spears? The Asperger guy. If you were to get rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon - Temple Grandin, world-renowned Autism spokesperson and university professor while giving a Ted talk in February, 2010.

In the News and Trending in the US for World Autism Awareness Day

Top things to do in the US for World Autism Awareness Day

• Wear blue in order to support World Autism Day. The color blue is internationally recognized as a symbol of support for World Autism Day and it is accompanied by the catchphrase wear blue, April 2.
• Get active on social media by taking a picture of yourself wearing blue and posting it using the hashtags #LIUB (Light it up Blue), #WorldAutismAwarenessDay, #WAD and #autism. You can also turn your profile photo blue on social media by putting a blue frame over it.
• Watch a movie about autism such as Fly Away (2011), The Story of Luke (2012), and Sounding the Alarm (2015)
• Light up your home or your business in blue like many famous buildings or monuments worldwide. There are many ways you can do this. It can be as simple as putting blue plastic over floodlights to project the color blue on your home. You can also use a blue Phillips light bulb, which can be bought at Home Depot.
• Take part in an Autism Speaks Walk that raises money for the cause. You can gather a team and walk in support of someone you know with autism or simply donate, walk and enjoy the day with thousands of others.