World Autism Awareness Day

Not to be confused with Autistic Pride Day.

World Autism Awareness Day
A World Autism Awareness Day event in Santiago, Chile in 2013
Official name	World Autism Awareness Day
Observed by	United Nations Member States
Date	2 April
Next time	2 April 2026 (2026-04-02)
Frequency	Annual
First time	2008
Started by	United Nations

World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day (observed annually on 2 April) that encourages member states of the United Nations to take measures to raise global awareness of autism, promote the acceptance, appreciation and inclusion of autistic individuals and recognize such individuals' local and global contributions. ^{[1] [2] [3]} It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/RES/62/139), ^[4] passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was proposed by Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, the United Nations Representative from Qatar, and supported by all member states. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

This resolution was passed and adopted without a vote in the UN General Assembly, mainly as a supplement to previous UN initiatives to improve human rights. ^[7]

The terms "Autism Awareness Day" and "Autism Awareness Month" are sometimes contested by autism rights activists, who claim that they feed into ableism against autistic people. Such groups, including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), advocate using the term Autism Acceptance Day as a counter-celebration for both events under the belief that it promotes overcoming anti-autistic prejudice rather than simply increasing awareness of autism. ^{[9] [10]} Alternatively, Autistic Pride Day, a pride celebration organized by and for autistic people, is held yearly on 18 June. ^[11]

Components

The original resolution had four main components:

• The establishment of the second day of April as World Autism Awareness Day, ^[12] beginning in 2008.
• Invitation to Member States and other relevant organizations to the UN or the international societal system, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to create initiatives to raise public awareness of autism.
• Encourages Member States to raise awareness of autism on all levels in society.
• Asks the UN Secretary-General to deliver this message to member states and all other UN organizations. ^[13]

Themes

As of 2012, each World Autism Awareness Day has focused on a specific theme determined by the UN.

• 2012: "Launch of Official UN "Awareness Raising" Stamp" ^[14]
• 2013: "Celebrating the ability within the disability of autism" ^[15]
• 2014: "Opening Doors to Inclusive Education" ^[16]
• 2015: "Employment: The Autism Advantage" ^[17]
• 2016: "Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity" ^[18]
• 2017: "Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination" ^[19]
• 2018: "Empowering Women and Girls with Autism" ^[20]
• 2019: "Assistive Technologies, Active Participation" ^[21]
• 2020: "The Transition to Adulthood" ^[22]
• 2021: "Inclusion in the Workplace" ^[22]
• 2022: "Inclusive Quality Education for All" ^[23]
• 2023: "Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking" ^[24]
• 2024: "Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic individuals share regional perspectives" ^[25]
• 2025: "Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" ^[26]

Onesie Wednesday

In 2014, World Autism Awareness Day coincided with Onesie Wednesday, a day created by the National Autistic Society to encourage people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to show their support for autistic people. By wearing a onesie or pajamas, participants are saying, "It's all right to be different". ^[27]

Outcomes in the United States

In a 2015 presidential proclamation, President Obama highlighted some of the initiatives that the U.S. government was taking to protect the rights of autistic people and bring awareness to the disorder. He highlighted things like The Affordable Care Act, which prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition such as autism. He also pointed out the Autism CARES Act of 2014, which provides higher-level training to those who provide support to autistic people. ^[28]

On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump proclaimed the day in the United States. ^[29] ASAN criticized Trump's proclamation for not stressing acceptance, not addressing autistic people directly, focusing only on children, claiming there had been "a staggering increase" in autism prevalence (without discussing the role of expanded diagnostic standards and access) and whitewashing administration policies hostile to autistic people. ^[30]

See also

• Awareness day
• Autism-friendly
• Autism rights movement
• Autism Sunday
• Autistic Pride Day
• Societal and cultural aspects of autism
• United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities

References

1. "WHEN IS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY". Business Standard India. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
2. "Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder – ASD): The Definitive Guide – What is Autism Awareness?". Otsimo. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
3. Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day - EN". United Nations. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
4. Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day – background". United Nations. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
5. "Third Committee Calls on Assembly to Designate 2 April World Autism Day | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
6. "General Assembly Adopts Landmark Text Calling for Moratorium on Death Penalty | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
7. "United Nations Marks First World Autism Awareness Day Today | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
8. "World Autism Awareness Day 2017". jobsmedia.org. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
9. S., Kassiane (4 April 2012). "Acceptance vs. Awareness". Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
10. Bullus, Erin; Sesterka, Abby (1 April 2020). "Moving Beyond Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance". Psychology Today. Thomas, John. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
11. "Autistic Pride Day celebrated on June 18 | News". 13 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
12. "Facts & Myths about Autism – Autism Awareness Day 2017 – Belair Daily". www.belairdaily.com. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
13. "A/RES/62/139". undocs.org. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
14. "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
15. "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
16. "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
17. "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
18. "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April | United Nations Enable". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
19. "Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination – World Autism Awareness Day 2017". United Nations Web TV. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
20. "2018 World Autism Awareness Day". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
21. "World Autism Awareness Day 2018". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
22. Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day – EN". United Nations. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
23. "World Autism Awareness Day - EN".
24. Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day - EN". United Nations. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
25. Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day - EN". United Nations. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
26. Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day - EN". United Nations. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
27. "About Onesie Wednesday". National Autistic Society . Retrieved 2 April 2014.
28. "Presidential Proclamation – World Autism Awareness Day, 2015". whitehouse.gov . April 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015– via National Archives.
29. "World Autism Awareness Day, 2025". whitehouse.gov . Retrieved 2 April 2025.
30. "ASAN Unimpressed by White House's 2025 "Autism Awareness Day" Announcement - Autistic Self Advocacy Network". autisticadvocacy.org/. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.