World Autism Awareness Day

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World Autism Awareness Day
Organizador de Autismo en La Moneda.jpg
A World Autism Awareness Day event in Santiago, Chile in 2013
Official nameWorld Autism Awareness Day
Observed by United Nations Member States
Date2 April
Next time2 April 2026 (2026-04-02)
FrequencyAnnual
First time2008
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]

Contents

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:

Themes

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

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

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. 1 2 "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". web.archive.org. 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. 1 2 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". https://autisticadvocacy.org/ . 2 April 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.{{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
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