Take The World And Paint It Blue
It is common to dress up in blue on April 2 to show respect for the autistic community. Make it a proper activity this year! Decorate your home with blue custom holiday ornaments to make your child feel special. Encourage the family and friends to wear blue t-shirts and face masks. This activity could be a lot of fun and exciting.
What Can You Do To Make A Difference
To start off with lets dive into what not to do with be it your child or anyones child who has autism. There is a widespread misconception that every child with autism is blessed with talents that are prodigious. This is not true. Only about 10% of children have such talents and not possessing a talent doesnt determine your childs worth.
Most new parents spend hours trying to figure out even the little things such as the needs of a child with autism and the last thing on their mind is for you to go up to them and tell them but your child doesnt look autistic at all! Supporting the childs parents through kind language and telling them how cute their child looks rather than making autism the only thing to talk about is important. You must remember, a persons identity isnt their mental health issue or revolve around where they are different from you.
World Autism Awareness Day
The fourteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2021.
Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world come together on April 2, Autism Awareness Day, to Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them.
Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month, aiming to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, foster worldwide support and inspire a kinder, more inclusive world.
Join us forWorld Autism Awareness Month to help us spread kindness and autism awareness!
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Watch Some Autism Awareness Videos
This video highlights how autistic kids are different but how most importantly, why its important to include them in activities and honor their special interests.
Whats Up With Nick?
This video explains what a classroom aide is, why children with autism sometimes needs extra attention and help in class and some of the sensory issues people with autism deal with on a day to day basis.
Nasaiahs Day
This video is such a fantastic resource for teaching kids about what autism is. It highlights the differences in behavior caused by autism and the social difficulties it can cause. It shows the beauty of all kids connecting through play.
Prepare For Some Perceptual Games
World Autism Awareness Day honors autistic people, so engage your child in perceptual activities! One of the most significant aspects of staying home is that you can help your kids do all the things they enjoy in a setting familiar to them. Get them some customized magnets and stickers and demonstrate how to play with them.
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Ways To Fundraise All Year Around
We’ve got lots of ideas to help you raise money in a safe and enjoyable way during these difficult times. Last World Autism Awareness Week during lockdown, hundreds of amazing supporters came up with new and creative ways to raise awareness and money to help create a society that works for autistic people. We’re here to help you do the same this time around.
Light Up Your Garden And Patio
Now that spring has arrived and the weather has warmed up, prepare some custom water bottles and lunch boxes filled with yummy food pack them in custom bags and spend some time on the patio. Or, go for a walk in the garden. Avoid congested areas such as beaches and stay away from outdoor play areas.
If you need more ideas on how to celebrate World Autism Day in Sandy, UT, get in touch with Spirit Magnet! Lets make this year count! Browse our online store for other great ideas for events in your area.
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Celebrate Your Teachers And Therapists
During the month of April, you and your child with autism can help celebrate Autism Awareness Month by doing something special for the educators and therapists involved in your childs life. Simple gifts like a plate of homemade cookies, a thank-you note, or a homemade card from your child would be a wonderful way for you to thank your childs teacher, speech therapist, school principal, occupational therapist, etc.
Playmo Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day 2019
Bring your children for a fun-filled day of play, interaction and fun at Playmos Autism Awareness Day celebrations. This is a unique chance to allow your children to mingle with and befriend those living with autism, build new friendships and foster greater harmony among children. Free passes are available.
- Location: Head Start Speech Therapy Centre, Mirdif 35
- Ages: 2 to 12 years
- Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
- Timings: 11:00 am to 02:00 pm
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How To Celebrate Autism Awareness Month At Your School
Autism Awareness Month takes place each year in April. The goal of this national observance is to promote acceptance, awareness and inclusion for persons with autism.
And what better way to promote autism awareness than through the schools?
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control found that 1 out of every 68 children have autism. Schools are often one of the first places that early intervention and diagnosis takes place. As a result, schools must be prepared and equipped to provide an adequate and appropriate education for the growing number of children diagnosed with autism. Schools also have a duty to provide an environment in which children with autism are accepted and appreciated.
There are many ways that your school can acknowledge this special month that will be helpful not only for students, but for teachers, administrators, and autism families as well.
Here are a few ideas:
Celebrating Autism Awareness And Acceptance
April is Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. During the entire month of April, you’ll hear about autism-oriented fundraisers, autism awareness presentations, autism-friendly happenings, and special opportunities to recognize people on the autism spectrum. You’ll also notice that most people involved with these activities are wearing the color blue. In fact, you might even notice buildings “lighting it up blue” on April 2.
Most of the people who celebrate Autism Awareness Day or Month are not autistic. Instead, they are parents, organizers, and others who care for or about autism. But where are the autistic self-advocates? In many cases, they are actively avoiding the celebrations.
Different responses to Autism Awareness Day and Month come about as a result of the history of the events, the intent behind the events, and the people who created them.
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Ways To Support Autism Awareness Month
- Gabrielle | Posted On Mar 16, 2017 | Social-Emotional Learning
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate inclusion and acceptance of those with autism. One in 68 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control. On the site Autism Speaks, they define spectrum as the wide variation in challenges and strengths possessed by each person with autism.
Here are 6 easy, fun ways we can help these kids and families feel understood and welcome in our lives.
Therapeutic Day Schools Of Illinois Celebrate World Autism Month With Series Of Activities Throughout April
Students and staff across all Camelot Therapeutic Day Schools of Illinois kicked off World Autism Month on April 1 by wearing blue to school in recognition of the Light It Up Blue global campaign.
Planning for Autism Awareness Month is like planning for our version of New Years Eve, said Deputy Superintendent Theresa Mortl Smith. We begin as early as January to show support for an important purpose.
With World Autism Month, Camelots Therapeutic Day Schools of Illinois continue its tradition of celebrating autism awareness each April with a new spirit of hope and kindness, particularly after COVID-19 changed the celebration last year. Last year, for the annual 1.54-mile walk representing the fact that 1 in every 54 children are diagnosed with autism families were encouraged to walk on their own to ensure safety.
This year, schools will celebrate together following COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines. World Autism Day is just the beginning of a month-long series of activities designed to show solidarity to a common purpose: spreading awareness about autism.
In addition to region-wide activities like the Puzzle Piece Project, each individual school is carrying out its own activities for World Autism Month, including but not limited:
Our students are amazing, said NWCA principal Niamh Welp. This is a special opportunity for them to help spread community awareness and join together to make an important difference.
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The Vision For World Autism Awareness Day 2021
Since 2012, the United Nations has designated a yearly theme for World Autism Awareness Day. The theme for 2021 is Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World.
On World Autism Day, we highlight many ways in which individuals with Autism contribute to our families, neighborhoods, country, and world while also shedding a light on the systemic challenges that autistic people face daily. People who have Autism are sensitive and need extra care and love this pandemic has introduced a new term, social distancing, that has brought a lot of problems as staying at home and celebrating something is very difficult.
Our annual holidays may be canceled or delayed, but we should not overlook this important day. Spirit Magnet has a few great ideas to help families in Sandy, UT, embrace Autism Awareness Day while exercising social distancing and following CDC guidelines.
How To Celebrate Autism Awareness Month
Although the circumstances for nearly all of us have changed in the recent weeks, we are now in April, which is Autism Awareness Month! Now more than ever we need to stay positive and treasure the things that we hold dearest to us. To get the ball rolling, here are some tips for maximizing your impact and spreading awareness online as we are all practicing physical distancing during this time.
1. Donate to the Autism Society:
As with any charity, one of the best ways to truly help the cause during Autism Awareness Month is to give financially to organizations that directly fund research and services to help improve the lives of people impacted by autism. As the Autism Society explains on its website, donations enable it to improve the services of its 100+ nationwide affiliates, provide the best national resource database and contact center specializing in autism, and increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with ASD and their families.
2. Wear blue today :
3. Show off your support with an Autism Awareness Ribbon:
Every cause has a ribbon, but the Autism Societys puzzle piece ribbon, designed to represent the complexity and diversity of people on the spectrum, is one of the most memorable and unique. Wearing a ribbonwhether as a new profile photo on your social media, a Facebook post, etc.lets others know youre an advocate for all people and invites curious people to strike up a conversation with you about autism awareness.
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Mccabe And Winsor Are Celebrating Autism Awareness Day Today
Cathy Pleau
McCabe is celebrating, along with Winsor, Autism Awareness Day today!
Autism Awareness Month.
McCabe: The PTO is hosting a wear blue day in support of understanding and acceptance for individuals with Autism on Monday, April 5th. Please see the attached flier for details:
Please know that, as a community, we strive to support, understand, and accept all.
Autism Speaks And Autism Awareness
In 2005, Autism Speaks was founded. Created and funded by the extremely wealthy and influential Bob and Suzanne Wright , the organization quickly became the major autism-related non-profit in the world. With their strong connections, the Wrights were able to create very high profile autism awareness programs, including:
- World Autism Awareness Day , adopted by the United Nations in 2007
- Light It Up Blue, an international effort to light iconic buildings in blue to raise awareness of autism
- The Power of One March, which takes place annually on April 2
Autism Speaks sells blue T-shirts, provides resources to groups interested in fundraising or running autism-related programs, and also promotes fundraising marches and events during the month of April. Institutions ranging from museums and zoos to libraries, schools, and even businesses run special events during that period.
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Why Doesn’t Everyone Love Autism Awareness Month
Because Autism Speaks has become such a large and ubiquitous organization, it essentially “owns” autism awareness month. Television specials, telethons, multimedia advertising, and other forms of outreach are all part of the event.
But Autism Speaks has hadand continues to havea very questionable relationship with the autism community. Both autistic self-advocates and many groups of parents have had issues with their funding priorities, governance, and perspectives on the causes of autism. While some issues have gone away , others are still of concern.
Just a few of the issues people have with Autism Speaks:
Plan A Family Trip To An Autism Friendly Destination
Some of my favorites :
- Sesame Place in Pennsylvania
- The San Diego Zoo they offer a skip the line ticket upon request for individuals with special needs.
- Lego Land Florida in recent years Lego Land in Florida has partnered with Autism Speaks to create an adapted experience for children with autism.
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The Light It Up Blue Campaign
Every year, in solidarity with the global autism community, Dubai takes part in the Light It Up Blue campaign to mark Autism Awareness Day. The US-based organisation Autism Speaks started the campaign. In 2018, Dubai was one of the 142 countries that took part in the campaign by lighting up iconic buildings/structures across the globe with blue light. Last year, the Dubai Frame was lit up blue. This year, we are yet to see, which building in Dubai becomes a part of Light It Up Blue.
Besides these events and initiatives, schools and learning centres across the city, such as the Cambridge International School have also organised autism awareness programmes and carnivals.
Ideas For Celebrating Autism Awareness And Acceptance Month
Do you have favorite ways to celebrate autism awareness? How we can help autistic people have rich, fulfilling self-directed lives is evolving. Here are some ideas for things to do in honor of people with autism.
Roxana Rabadi, PsyD, LCP
There is no greater joy than watching your baby develop as a little person, hearing them laugh and babble, and seeing them explore their surroundings. Some babies take a little longer than others to achieve expected milestones, from crawling to feeding themselves, and thats not necessarily a problem children develop at their own pace. But there are specific behaviors that can be indicative of a developmental disability such as autism.
Many parents of children with autism are struggling to manage their own work or other responsibilities while their child is attending school virtually. Various services are available, including state-funded services available through local regional centers. Communicating with the service coordinator is key to accessing services.
Socials skills are essential to establish and maintain healthy social relationships. Kids with autism sometimes struggle with their social skills. Dealing with social distancing during COVID-19 is making social skills development more challenging. Telehealth has evolved as a new platform to help kids advance their social skills development.
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World Autism Awareness Day Social Media Buzz
2 years ago today we sat in a room while getting told Jacob has AutismI had no idea what that meant for you or us. You have worked so hard. You continue to grow & show us that amazing personality inside you!I am so proud of you.I love you so much buddy.
Joe Ingles
No messing about this is some serious commitment from our Joe! Well done bro #Autism#strength#disabilities
Billy Moore
Joe has autism and struggles with the smallest of tasks but hes got heart and Im proud of him. #AutismAwareness#alderherheyhospital
Billy Moore
Autism isn’t linear.
Brad Weinstein
If You Are A Parent How To Help Your Child
Be it how to teach an autistic child to talk or how to get your autistic child to respond, patience is key. To understand that there will be a few hiccups along the way and that is okay as every child has their own pace is very important.
If you have ever found yourself trying to google what to do when autistic child throws things, we have a tip for you and it is very simple. Praise them, reward them, and dont forget to tell them how proud you are of them for whenever they do something that is right. This will teach them that good behaviour is rewarded and bad behaviour will not be fruitful.
It can be daunting sometimes so it is important to note that if you cant take care of yourself you will not be able to take care of another person. You can help your child by making sure that you are emotionally and physically fit. Attending support groups for parents with autistic children or celebrating World Autism Awareness Day with a group of friends may help you connect with your emotions and find the right help.
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