Be Kind To Different Minds
This Autism Awareness Day we want you to Be Kind to Different Minds and help us raise autism awareness in the community, at home, in your school or workplace. Click on our World Autism Awareness Day leaflet to see how Paul and Chelsea have created a more inclusive society.
The autism community includes our friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues. We want to build an inclusive society that works best for everyone and hope that you can help us do that this April.
Reach Out To Organizers
Every Autism Awareness Month is a little bit different. Organizers choose new themes, come up with unique activities, and develop new educational assets. Reach out when April draws near to stay abreast of the year’s plans.
These organizations are involved in Autism Awareness Month:
- National Autism Association: Headquartered in Rhode Island, this organization has a robust website, and organizers update social media channels like Facebook and Instagram regularly.
- Local National Autism Association chapters: Work directly with smaller offices scattered throughout the United States. Some states have several chapters, while others have only one. Use the directory to find the one closest to you.
- Autism Speaks: This large organization is active on plenty of social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Follow along to find out more about plans for April’s celebrations.
- Autism Speaks chapters: This organization also has smaller chapter offices located throughout the United States. The online directory can help you find the one closest to your home.
- Autism Society: Use this website to sign up for regular email updates, or follow the organization on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
- Organization for Autism Research: Tap on the website to find out about events happening soon. Or follow the organization on social media for up-to-date planning information.
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Autism Awareness Month: Autism Diagnosis & Traits
A central topic that Autism Awareness Month aims to shed light on is the several common and unique traits and challenges that people with autism live with on a daily basis. Understanding autism more thoroughly will help communities and families better support people diagnosed with any of the varying degrees of ASD.
Autism is also an often underdiagnosed condition, especially in girls and minorities. Without proper diagnosis, thousands of children are not getting the care and support they need. Also, because autism is a spectrum and the traits can vary so significantly and also in severity, a viable one-size-fits-all support solution would be impossible to achieve. In addition to this, many people with autism are diagnosed with other conditions as well that must be taken into consideration when discussing treatment and therapy plans.
Read more in our full post: Autism Awareness Month: Autism Diagnosis & Traits
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Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month: Autism Beyond 2021
Fortunately, efforts to more fully understand and support people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families are continuing to increase. Local governments and communities are becoming more aware of the necessity for better programs, assistance, and services. However, there is still a long way to go.
Federal and state legislation is still lacking when it comes to truly supporting this growing population. Many school districts are not fully aware of the challenges and safety concerns, denying children the inclusion and measures needed to support them and keep them safe.
Learn more about how to support those with autism: Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month: Autism Beyond 2021
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Autism Awareness Month Activities
Autism can be truly magnificent. You may already know many dont.
To promote autism awareness about this life-altering disability, we have charted out more than 35 thought-provoking, wholesome and cool kid activities to boost support, enhance acceptance, and increase awareness while having oodles of fun in the process.
From downloading interactive worksheets, to life-saving skills like swimming, to hacking at frozen toys, to exciting autism activities for adults, such as a family hiking trip, to baking edible puzzles we have something for everyone in this article.
And heres your motto for this month: Purposeful, well-intentioned FUN!
So, lets spark off enormous waves of empathy for these uniquely wonderful, creative souls with well-rounded, high-on-joy autism awareness activities.
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Acceptance Instead Of Awareness
At this point, most people know what autism is. We dont really need awareness, but we do need acceptance and understanding. Each autistic person is unique and has their own amazing way they see the world. Autism acceptance can look like not judging when a child is having a meltdown in the middle of a grocery store because they have gotten overwhelmed because of lights and sounds. Or understanding when someone is stimming to self-regulate. There is a lot to learn about autism from autistic individuals that you wont find from doctors, psychologists, and books. Check out the hashtag #StimDancing on Instagram or TikTok and find some amazing autistic creators finding themselves through stim dancing.
Celebrating Through Social Media
Speaking of sharing, do you use social media? There are many different platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, to name a few. Have you ever thought about sharing your love and support for autism on one of these platforms? In doing so, you would be helping to spread awareness, acceptance, and appreciation. You would also show support for the services, help, and strength it takes to walk down the long unpaved path of autism.
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Stop Believing Autism Needs To Be Cured Or Is A Tragedy
Autism is part of many autistics identities. If you removed it, many of us dont know who we are without it. It is how we experience the world around us. To imply that we need to be cured implies that we are sick we are not. That doesnt mean autistics dont go through their own struggles, but our lives arent tragic and we dont need a cure. Learning I was autistic has made me feel accepted and apart of a community.
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Autism Awareness Month April 2022
April 2nd is celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day, with April being the month of choice to raise money and resources spread awareness and teach kids, teachers and caregivers the importance of autism, and the life-altering issues faced by kids with ASD through engaging autism awareness activities.
These also help to smash silly myths and bash typical stereotypes.
Activities like families of autistic children sharing powerful, inspiring stories about their beautiful, different children is a great idea for educating, and at the same time, building a strong support network.
Autism Awareness Month In Action
It has been an incredible month coming together to show the importance of acceptance and understanding in our community and to celebrate the strengths and achievements of individuals with Autism of all ages. The month started by recognising Autism Awareness Week from the 29th March 4th April Autism Awareness Day on the 2nd of April and then wrapped up with World Autism Awareness Month throughout the month of April.
Everyone had a blast this year finding imaginative and collaborative ways to get involved, we saw creativity shine through in the unique fundraising ideas, educational training opportunities, and fun and exciting events. Each and every event was exceptional and there was something for everyone from scientists to artists and historians alike, so lets take a dive into what went on!
Scitech Sensory SessionScitech opened their doors to amateur scientists of all ages who spent the evening exploring everything the world of science has to offer.
In the water zone we raced boats, experimenting with water flow and learning about its sources!
Our junior scientists saw the joys of play and the wonders of science come together in Discoverland! Letting their curiosity run free exploring the possibilities of science.
Other scientists learned by testing their assumptions! Experimenting with science helps us find better explanations for what is happening in the world around us!
Dress-Ups and Activities
In the news
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Brain & Behavior: Science Of Happiness
What is the most important way to assess whether or not a treatment is working? If you are a parent, it will come as no surprise.Your loved ones HAPPINESS. But many professionals simply dont include happiness, quality of life, or well-being assessment in programs. Hear professional and personal advice for supporting happy, successful children with autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and related neurological differences. The presentation includes existing research, curricula, and strategies for tracking happiness, providing enjoyable support, building relationships with kids, and creating programs that build on strengths. And, they explain the brain and behavioral science behind why professionals often inadvertently increase anxiety and make intervention unpleasant and what to do about it. Most importantly, they share the surprising good news that spending time on happiness and stress reduction for kids and families can facilitate learning, skill development, and cooperation.
Autism Awareness Month Has Traditionally Been Fullof Slacktivism
A while ago I wrote an article called How to raise ACTUAL autism awareness, and I often give talks about this exact subject. One of the points it makes is about how raising awareness can now be as easy as changing your profile picture, whilst not making any kind of practical changes.
I mean, why donate actualmoney to an autism-friendly charity when you can put I love someone withautism on your Facebook picture completely for free?
Then of course, theresthis kind of crap right here.
Rather curiously, I get the same word-for-word message for Cancer Awareness Month too. Leaving aside that it doesnt specify which cancer it seeks to raise awareness of , does anyone else think its utterly abhorrent to have all my bras are missing as part of a cancer awareness game?
Thankfully, due to the deluge of copy-paste messages weve all been doing during the coronavirus lockdown, this is the first year in a while that Ive not had this game sent to me.
The basic concept is thatyou post one of these sentences as your status, wait for someone to take youliterally , and thensend them this copy-pasted message asking for them to join in, to raiseawareness of the condition that made them gullible enough to fall for it. Orsomething like that.
Again, theres noexplanation for what awareness this is raising, or how it aims to change thelives of autistic people .
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Home / Blog / Autism Awareness Month April 2022
Aaliyah was shocked. Her sweet, loving 4-year-old daughter had just been diagnosed with ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder.
How could this be?, her mind screamed.
Where had she gone wrong?
With her emotions in turmoil, her head exploding with endless questions, her heart in tatters, panic overwhelmed her.
Trying not to crumble into a million pieces in front of her little girl, she zeroed in on one powerful thought,
What could she do to help her child live her best life possible?
Approximately one in every sixty-eight children is diagnosed as autistic in the U.S., according to a 2014 C.D.C report. To say that the lives of these children, their parents and caregivers changes completely is an understatement.
Autism doesnt come alone to the party. It has friends. Think social problems, behavioral challenges and critically significant communication issues. But, like with a lot of tough things in life, kids with ASD can not only survive, but thrive with the right support from their families, doctors, friends and their community at large.
Children are amazingly resilient.
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What is World Autism Day?
Every year since 2008, United Nations member states have been encouraged to observe World Autism Awareness Day in order to raise awareness of autism and aspergers syndrome around the world.
Buildings, homes and communities come together on April 2 in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them.
Autism-friendly events and educational activities also usually take place throughout April, as part of World Autism Awareness Month.
These aim to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, alongside encouraging worldwide support and a kinder, more inclusive world.
What is autism?
The National Autistic Society explains that, Autism is a lifelong disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. There are approximately 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways.
Some autistic people also have learning disabilities, mental health issues or other conditions, meaning people need different levels of support. All people on the autism spectrum learn and develop.
What is this years theme?
This years World Autism Awareness Day 2021 theme is Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World
World Autism Awareness Week 2021
These are that autistic people can:
– feel anxiety about changes or unexpected events
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Can I Use The Autism Speaks World Autism Month Marks For My Event/fundraiser
Yes. Logos may be downloaded from the resources page and used for informational or educational purposes during World Autism Month. All uses of the Autism Speaks World Autism Month logo must comply with the following Terms of Use:
- The logo must remain intact. You may not change or add anything to it.
- You may not place the logo on any product or use for selling purposes.
- In the US, any fundraising activity utilizing the World Autism Month marks must have the authorization of Autism Speaks. Contact and an Autism Speaks representative will contact you directly to review guidelines.
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Why Is Teaching Kids And Raising Awareness So Important
Kids dont come with a manual. Parenting is hard enough without throwing autism into the mix. Young children with ASD think uniquely, behave differently and learn in their own precious style.
To understand their sheer magnificence, to establish them as pioneering, well-adjusted members of your community, and to give them their best chance possible, every one of us has to be an inflexible advocate of autism awareness.
Understanding an Autistic Person 4 Wonderful Traits
- Theyre curious
- Their hearts have a lot of compassion
- Theyre honest
Promoting autism awareness for a day, week or month for this massively challenging disability spreads ONE significant message different, but definitely not less.
Autism Awareness Month: Autism Facts & Statistics
An indication that Autism Awareness is so important, is that there are very few studies and reports regarding autism. The most recent exhaustive study was performed in 2016. There are smaller studies and research being done, but not to the same scale as the growth of the population of people affected.
The number of people with autism has grown exponentially over the past decades, to a staggering 1:54 kids now being diagnosed throughout the US based on the CDC 2016 study. The American Academy of Pediatrics parent-reported study shows a prevalence of 1 in 40. It is also known that autism is underdiagnosed, if corrected the numbers would be even higher.
Read our full post: Autism Awareness Month: Autism Statistics & Facts
Autism Awareness Month Diagnosis and Traits
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