In the United States, the month of April Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, this month aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States.

The Autism Research Institute defines Autism as a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. Its formal diagnostic name is an autism spectrum disorder. The word “spectrum” indicates that autism appears in different forms with varying levels of severity. That means that each individual with autism experiences their own unique strengths, symptoms, and challenges.  , a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes. (Reference: https://www.autism.org/what-is-autism/)

Autism Awareness Month was first held in the year of 1972 by the Autism Society, Autism Awareness Month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals around us.

HISTORY OF AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

Every year in April, the Autism Society works to build an inclusive community where autistic individuals are embraced and supported to achieve the highest quality of life possible. Bernard Rimland founded in 1965 The Autism Society and it still remains one of the few grassroots organizations in the autistic community. Driven by the fact that autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world, the Autism Society hosted one of its first nationwide efforts of an awareness campaign called National Autistic Children’s Week in 1972, which subsequently evolved into the Autism Awareness Month earmarked in April.

The Autism Society deeply understands the need to foster awareness and acceptance to ignite change and a healthier lifestyle through improved opportunities for people with autism. It works every day to improve the lives of affected individuals and families. The organization caters to more than 600,000 people living under the “autism onslaught,” using tools like community partnerships with organizations, digital and print resources, along with events and referrals to spark empathy and inclusivity in the general public. Besides educating the masses for better systems-wide change and acceptance, their affiliate program stretches across more than 75 networks and advocates for exclusive services for the autistic community.

With the autism diagnosis rate increasing fast, we take these 30 days to celebrate the differences-, learn more about-, and empower autistic individuals.

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH TIMELINE IN AMERICA

• 1976 – Studying Brain Tissue
  
  A project launches to study brain tissue and understand autism at the root level.

• 1996 – Applied Research on Brain Tissue
  
  The Autism Society establishes a Foundation focused on applied research.

• 1999 – Autism Awareness Ribbon
  
  The puzzle ribbon is adapted as the universal sign for Autism awareness.

• 2021- Awareness to Acceptance
  
  On March 4, the Autism Society of America officially announces the shift in terminology from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month.

HOW TO OBSERVE AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

1. Find out and participate in local group activities. There are many events lined by local autism awareness organizations in your city. Reach out to one of the local groups, get a timetable of the events planned for the month, and make sure you bring along your children to participate. These can range from fundraisers to Awareness Walks while enjoying the spring weather.
2. Read autism books to your children. The key mission of Autism Awareness Month is to educate the new generation in fostering acceptance and kindness toward the autistic community. “Ella Autie,” a story of a 4th grader battling society with autism is a great way to educate your kids during this month and start important conversations.
3. Donate to Autism Awareness Organizations. In the light of the pandemic, the autism community continues to face the worsts of challenges. Make it a goal to donate as much as you can to your local Autism Awareness Organizations or the Autism Society of America to further their efforts, and encourage their unrelenting support for the community.

Other ideas to support autism awareness and acceptance month.

Just sharing now that there are bound to be a lot more ideas than the ones that I am about to suggest to you all as there are a few that are quite common that do it worldwide not just in America.

• 1. Light it up blue – Some will find ways to wear something blue or light something blue in the representation of this.

• 2. Wear red instead – This is something that some people in the autistic community may like to do instead of the one above in number one to show their support.

• 3. Light it up gold – Many autistics may like to go all out and wear gold or just light something gold!

• 4. Treat yourself to some wee goodies from The Chocolate Spectrum, where you can order online, visit or take chocolate making classes. Find a location that employs people with autism.

• 5. Read and share 5 references that support the use of AAC & Autism.

• 6. Help your family or community go beyond awareness and into acceptance. 

• 7. Learn and share information about Autism Safety – Be AWAARE!

• 8. Know an autistic Minecraft lover? Introduce them to AutCraft. 

• 9. Educate yourself on terminology that relates to autism and people with ASD. We may have learned people-first language back in grad school, but there are different points of view on that. This is a great time to learn about identity-first language. 

• 10. Apply your critical reasoning skills to organizations that serve people with autism and evaluate their approach to their constituents. Are their actions consistent with these principles? 

• 11. Pass the popcorn! Watch a movie featuring characters with autism, such as Adam, Citizen Autistic, Loving Lampposts, Mozart and the Whale, Snowcake, Temple Grandin, and Wretches and Jabberers

• 12. Learn about ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) and the philosophy ‘Nothing about me, without me.’

• 13. Check out the visual supports for learning conversational and social skills from Joel Shaul at Autism Teaching Strategies.

• 14. Tell others about the prerequisites for AAC using material from Speech & Language Kids (By the way, there are none!)

• 15. Get the perspective of a person with autism who shares thoughts on being involved in research. 

• 16. Start following an autism self-advocates blog or Facebook page  Some suggestions: Karla’s ASD Page and Paula Durbin-Westby

• 17. Connect a family to the Center for Technology and Disability so they can learn about options for people with autism. 

• 18. Read or recommend another book about autism, like Painted Words. Try the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Bookstore for ideas.

• 19. Organize, Attend or Volunteer at Autism and/or Sensory-friendly events such as Video Game Fundraisers, Lego Building events or a sensory-friendly Activity

• 20. Learn more about how autism affects women at the Autism Women’s Network. 

• 21 Listen and share a great online module. Autism Internet Modules are excellent and free.

• 22. Explore the history of people with autism. 

• 23. Create some visual supports for a student, teacher, or family who needs them. 

• 24. Teach literacy to ALL learners. Share free resources that are for beginning readers at any age-, like Tar Heel Reader

• 25. Support a business for people with autism or other developmental disabilities.

• 26. Treat yourself to original art from Artists with Autism or other arts organizations

• 27. Watch a video about positive behavioural and visual supports. Learn more about the behaviour-communication link

• 28. Go to a bakery that is celebrating autism awareness month. Lee & Marie’s Cakery Company is an amazing bakery that you must try (locations in Miami & New York).

• 29. Support anti-bullying initiatives that are respectful of diverse populations, such as this one that focuses on the Minecraft community.  

• 30. Mentor a new speech-language pathologist or teacher in the area of communication and autism. 

• 31. Share a video about autism with some of the little people in your life. Need suggestions? Click here for a few ideas. 

• 32. Bake, share, and eat some desserts with some of your autistic friends. Need inspiration? Try some Chocolate-covered Pretzels or Rice Crispy Treats

• 33. Follow a parent autism blog such as Small But Kinda Mighty and Autism from a Father’s Point of View.

WHY AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT?

1. It is the fastest-growing developmental condition. There are approximately 70 million recognized cases of autism worldwide. Besides genetic mutation, environmental triggers such as exposure to heavy metals, antibiotics, chemicals, drugs, and even extensive TV viewing can cause autism.
   
   
2. Autism has to be accepted with love. The increasing occurrences of autism in the United States is a telltale sign that it is high time the general public is factually educated on the disorder to inspire change and support. This month reminds us to be empathetic, warm and welcoming to autistic individuals and families around us.
   
   
3. Early intervention helps deal with autism. If we can screen for autism at an early age by being aware of its signs and symptoms, we can improve the quality of life such as by underlying brain development, behaviour therapy, and occupational therapy.

I would like to ask you all a question as you read this part of my page, what’s your favourite way to support the acceptance and inclusion of people with autism? I’d love to hear about it. Contact me via the Contact Page.