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April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, a day to celebrate the lives of people with autism and show our support for their needs. This day was established in 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly as an international observance to encourage member states to take measures that promote better understanding and acceptance of those living with autism spectrum disorder. Let's join together on this special day in celebration of all individuals affected by autism!
<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 Identified</div><div class='timeline-text'>Leo Kanner, an Austrian psychiatrist, first identifies autism as a specific neurological condition separate from schizophrenia.</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 in DSM</div><div class='timeline-text'>Autism is included in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), officially recognized as a disorder separate from childhood schizophrenia.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>IDEA Covers Autism</div><div class='timeline-text'>Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), autism is officially listed as a separate category of disability, ensuring equal educational rights for all autistic individuals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Prevalence Increases</div><div class='timeline-text'>CDC reports that autism affects an estimated 1 in 150 children in the United States, significantly higher than previous estimates.</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'>UN Resolution on Autism</div><div class='timeline-text'>United Nations adopted resolution 62/139 declaring April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year starting from 2008.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Communication Initiative</div><div class='timeline-text'>The UN launches a new initiative for World Autism Awareness Day, focusing on the importance of universally affordable access to digital communication technologies for persons with autism and other disabilities.</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'>Organize a Fundraiser</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a fundraiser in your community to support autism awareness and research. Invite all members of the community to participate, as well as local businesses, schools, and organizations.</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'>Attend an Autism Awareness Event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Attend an event near you to show your support for those living with autism. There are many events throughout the year that celebrate individuals on the autism spectrum and promote acceptance and understanding.</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'>Wear Blue</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your support by wearing blue! This is the official color of World Autism Awareness Day, so wear it proudly. You can also decorate your home or office with blue lights in honor of those with autism.</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'>Spread Awareness Online</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share stories and resources about autism on social media or start a blog to spread awareness and educate others about the disorder. You can also use hashtags such as #autismawareness and #lightitupblue to join in conversations online.</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'>Make A Donation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Donate to a charity or organization that supports awareness and research of autism. Consider donating time or money to help raise funds for programs that benefit people living with autism.</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'>To spread awareness of autism</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Autism Awareness Day is an important day to recognize and raise awareness about autism. It serves as an opportunity to educate the public on what autism is and how it can affect people's lives. By talking openly about this condition, we can help reduce stigma and create a safe environment for those living with autism.</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'>To celebrate diversity and inclusion</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Autism is often seen as something that needs to be “fixed” or “cured,” but World Autism Awareness Day provides a platform for celebrating diversity and inclusion instead. This day celebrates people with autism for who they are - unique individuals with their own talents, strengths, and gifts to share!</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'>To support research efforts</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Autism Awareness Day also serves as a reminder to support research into better understanding autism so that its early intervention, diagnosis and treatment can continue to improve over time. This will enable children and adults affected by autism to get the services they need in order to reach their full potential.</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'>Autism is a Spectrum Condition</h3><p class='facts-content'>Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide array of developmental differences and degrees of impairment, making every individual's experience with ASD unique.</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'>Early Diagnosis Can Make a Big Difference</h3><p class='facts-content'>Spotting the signs of autism early and getting support or treatment can greatly improve a person's quality of life and help them to harness their full potential.</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'>Boys are Far More Likely to be Diagnosed with Autism than Girls</h3><p class='facts-content'>Autism is around 4 times more common in boys than girls according to current statistics. However, it is also suggested that autism may be underdiagnosed in girls due to differences in the way it manifests.</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'>Many People with Autism Have Exceptional Abilities</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many individuals with autism have exceptional skills, such as heightened memory, concentration, or creativity, often excelling in fields like mathematics, science, and the arts.</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'>Autistic Traits Can Be Hidden or Masked Making Diagnosis Challenging</h3><p class='facts-content'>Often, individuals with autism learn to adapt to social situations, masking their autistic traits which can make the recognition and diagnosis of autism difficult, especially in adults.</p></div></div>
World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated on April 2 every year. In 2024 World Autism Awareness Day will occur on a Tuesday.
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