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April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate those on the autism spectrum and raise awareness about the condition. It started in the mid-1990s as a way to recognize and show support for individuals with autism and their families. Over the years, it has grown into an international event that brings people together to spread understanding and acceptance of those with autism. This April, join in on the celebration by learning more about autism and showing your support for those who live with it every day!
<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's First Medical Identification</div><div class='timeline-text'>American child psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a paper describing 11 children who were highly intelligent but displayed "a powerful desire for aloneness" and "an obsessive insistence on persistent sameness". He later named their condition 'autism'.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Autism Society Formation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Autism Society was founded by Bernard Rimland, Ivar Lovaas, Ruth C. Sullivan and a small group of other parents of children with autism. Its aim was to start a dialog about autism treatments and therapies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Autism Recognition in DSM</div><div class='timeline-text'>Autism was officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in the 1980s, leading to more awareness and understanding of the condition.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Autism Acceptance Month's Start</div><div class='timeline-text'>Autism Acceptance Month began as Autism Awareness Day in the mid-1990s. It was later expanded to cover the entire month of April to raise more awareness and support.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Light It Up Blue Campaign</div><div class='timeline-text'>Autism Speaks launched the Light It Up Blue campaign, which involves lighting up buildings, landmarks, and homes around the world in blue light on World Autism Awareness Day (April 2).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Autism Acceptance Over Awareness</div><div class='timeline-text'>The autism community transitioned from using the term 'Autism Awareness Month' to 'Autism Acceptance Month' to emphasize the need for acceptance and understanding rather than just awareness of the condition.</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'>Learn about autism</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn more about autism and how neurodiversity affects people in different ways. Research the spectrum and read stories from autistic people to gain a better understanding.</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'>Support autistic businesses</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your support for people on the autism spectrum by shopping at businesses owned by autistic people. You can also donate to organizations that help autistic entrepreneurs.</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'>Attend an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>See if there are any events or activities taking place near you that celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. Many cities host events such as art shows, film screenings, and lectures that center around autism awareness.</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'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Help out at a local autism organization or volunteer your time to support an autistic family in need. There are many opportunities for you to make a difference and show your support.</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'>Share your story</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share your experience with autism by writing a blog post or creating a video. You can also spread awareness on social media by using hashtags like #AutismAcceptance and #AutismAwareness.</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'>It helps reduce stigma</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Autism Acceptance Month is important because it helps reduce the stigma associated with autism and other developmental disabilities. By educating the public about the importance of acceptance, we can create a more inclusive environment that celebrates neurodiversity and encourages people to be their authentic selves without fear of judgement or discrimination.</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'>It raises awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Raising awareness about autism is essential for creating understanding and acceptance. Autism Acceptance Month provides an opportunity to spread knowledge about what life is like for individuals on the spectrum, as well as available resources and treatments to help them succeed in mainstream society.</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'>It encourages support & inclusion</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lastly, Autism Acceptance Month is important because it encourages people to come together to support and include people on the autism spectrum. This means taking actionable steps to ensure access to appropriate services, develop meaningful relationships and provide social inclusion opportunities so everyone feels accepted, valued, and loved.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shift from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance</h3><p class='facts-text'>In 2021, The Autistic Self Advocacy Network officially changed the name from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month, symbolizing a shift towards inclusion and appreciation of neurodiversity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Autistic People Invented the Symbols of Autism Acceptance</h3><p class='facts-text'>The symbols of Autism Acceptance, the rainbow-colored infinity sign representing diversity and the puzzle piece colored gold, not blue, were both created by autistic people themselves as an aspect of self-representation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Red Instead and Tone It Down Taupe Campaigns</h3><p class='facts-text'>As a counter to the "Light It Up Blue" campaign, many people in the autism community promote "Red Instead" or "Tone It Down Taupe" campaigns to show support for the acceptance and embrace autism rather than focusing on finding a cure.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Autism: A Different Perspective</h3><p class='facts-text'>Many autistic people view their autism as an integral and positive part of their identity, comparing it to a culture or ethnicity rather than a disorder or disease that requires a cure.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>World Autism Acceptance Day</h3><p class='facts-text'>Recognized on April 2nd each year, World Autism Acceptance Day encourages UN member states to take measures to raise autism acceptance around the world. It's now traditionally marked with events worldwide, lighting up monuments and discussions about online and offline autism acceptance.</p></div></div>
Autism Acceptance Month is celebrated on April 1 every year. In 2024, it falls on a Monday.
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Saturday
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Monday
2025
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