For many people April is just another month in the year. However, for individuals and families with autism, it holds a deeper meaning. April is recognized as Autism Awareness Month or Autism Acceptance Month. This is a time when organizations come together to promote education, inculusion, and acceptance for those on the autism spectrum.
Autism is defined by the Autism Spectrum Disorder which refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, autism affects 1 in thirty-six children which has risen in number over the years, and 1 in fourty-five adults.
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day where the Light It Up Blue campaign is widely promoted to raise awareness. The Autism Society of America first introduced awareness nationally in 1972, when it was just a week, since this, April has been recognized as Autism Awareness Month. Dr. Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. was a psychologist and autism researcher who gets credit for founding Autism Awareness in April of 1970. He chose April as it not only coincides with his son’s birthday, but also with start of spring, representing a fresh, hopeful start for individuals with autism and their families.
During the month of April, #celebratedifferences is commonly used to help promote understanding and acceptance during this time. While autism awareness has often been represented by the puzzle piece symbol, many individuals within the autism community prefer the rainbow infinity symbol. This symbol better represents neurodiversity and emphasizes the infinite range of abilies and experiences within the autism specturm. In contrast, the puzzle piece has been criticized by some for implying that individuals with autism are incomplete or in need of being “fixed.”
