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On April 18, join in to celebrate Adult Autism Awareness Day! This special day has been celebrated since 2006 and was created to raise awareness about adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is also a chance to recognize the contributions that these individuals make in society, as well as show support for their families. The goal of this day is to educate people about autism and provide resources and support for those living with it. So let's come together on April 18th to help spread understanding and acceptance of ASD!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1911</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Initial Autism Identification</div><div class='timeline-text'>Eugene Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, first used the term "autism" to describe symptoms of schizophrenia.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1943</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Autism Defined as Separate Condition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Leo Kanner, an U.S. psychiatrist, distinguished autism as a separate condition from schizophrenia.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Research on Adults with Autism</div><div class='timeline-text'>The need for studies and resources focused towards adults with autism began to be recognized within professional circles.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Autism Included in DSM</div><div class='timeline-text'>Autism officially included as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Adult Autism Awareness Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>First celebrated in 2006, Adult Autism Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Continued Advocacy and Awareness</div><div class='timeline-text'>Advocacy groups continue to push for greater awareness and resources for Adults with Autism, further mainstreaming the discussion about ASD.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to learn more about autism in adults. Read blogs, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries or look for local events that discuss adult autism.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look for volunteer opportunities in your area where you can help adults with autism. This could be anything from helping out with a local event, to providing support in a classroom setting.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Reach out</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you know someone who is living with autism, reach out and let them know that you are there for them. Offer your support and let them know that you care.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support organizations that advocate for adults with autism. Donating money or time will go a long way to help those who are affected by the disorder.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Talk to your friends and family about autism in adults and spread this important message as far and wide as possible.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raising awareness of autism in adults</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Adult Autism Awareness Day is an important day for raising awareness about autism in adults. Many people are unaware that autism isn’t just a disorder that affects children – it continues to be a disabling condition in adulthood too. Raising awareness helps people understand the unique needs and challenges faced by those with autism into adulthood.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encouraging acceptance</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The world can often be less than understanding of people with disabilities, yet understanding breeds acceptance. Adult Autism Awareness Day aims to educate society so that those living with autism can feel accepted and embraced for who they are instead of faced with ignorance, stigma or discrimination.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Improving resources</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Raising awareness also allows us to better understand the needs of those with autism in order to provide more appropriate resources and support. Adult Autism Awareness Day hopes to bring attention to the unique issues faced by adults on the spectrum and continue improving resources available to help them navigate their lives successfully.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Adult Autism is Often Misunderstood</h3><p class='facts-content'>Because autism is usually diagnosed and largely discussed in the context of children, people often underestimate or lack understanding of adult autism, unaware that autism is a lifelong condition.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Adult Autism Can Present Different Challenges</h3><p class='facts-content'>While children with autism face challenges in learning and social integration, adults with autism frequently grapple with issues relating to employment, independence, and mental health, among others.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Social Interactions Can Remain Challenging</h3><p class='facts-content'>Autistic adults can continue to find social interactions challenging, often leading to feelings of isolation and the risk of developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Late Diagnosis of Autism is Common in Adults</h3><p class='facts-content'>A lot of adults only get diagnosed with autism in later life due to increased awareness and understanding of the condition, changing diagnostic criteria and societal attitudes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Adults with Autism Can Lead Successful Lives</h3><p class='facts-content'>With the appropriate support, understanding and accommodations, many individuals with autism lead fulfilling and independent lives, contributing positively to their communities.</p></div></div>
Adult Autism Awareness Day is celebrated on April 18 every year. In 2024, the date will fall on a Thursday.
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