World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day History

World Autism Awareness Day seeks to promote understanding, awareness and support for those living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ensuring that people with autism receive the necessary support, care, and acceptance they need to lead fulfilling, healthy, and productive lives. ASD refers to a set of neurodevelopmental disorders affecting social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. Globally, it is celebrated to underline the need to help enhance the lives of people with autism to make them higher, fuller and richer, and to increase autism awareness and understanding for families, communities and institutions.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in 2007, aiming to create a more inclusive and accessible society for all. In India, the observance holds significant importance. While there is a growing awareness about autism in urban India, awareness about autism and availability of therapy options are still insufficient in rural areas. The ratio of children with autism in India is significant, making the need for awareness for the disorder, even greater. This day serves as an important reminder that effective services and support are crucial for individuals with Autism to live a quality life.

In India, World Autism Awareness Day is marked with several events and activities. Rallies, conferences, discussions, and awareness campaigns are organized across the country. Many famous landmarks are lit up in blue, symbolising the global light it up blue campaign, which invites people to wear blue in solidarity with those living with autism. Parental associations, schools and NGOs working on autism often organize awareness drives, skill-building workshops, and sensitisation programs. World Autism Awareness Day takes occurs annually on April 2nd.

Facts about World Autism Awareness Day

• The theme for World Autism Awareness Day in 2024-2025 was Color.
  In 2023, the theme was Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking.
• According to the CDC, around the globe, autism is more common among children born to older parents or those with a family history of the condition.
• National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities Act came into existence in India in 1999 to raise awareness regarding different psychological conditions including Autism.
• Various celebrities and public figures have also joined the effort to raise Autism awareness in India, such as actor Aamir Khan, who highlighted the condition in an episode of his popular TV show, "Satyamev Jayate", in 2012.

In the News and Trending in India for World Autism Awareness Day

Top things to do in India for World Autism Awareness Day

• Wear blue in order to support World Autism Day. The color blue is internationally recognized as a symbol of support for World Autism Day and it is accompanied by the catchphrase wear blue, April 2.
• Get active on social media by taking a picture of yourself wearing blue and posting it using the hashtags #LIUB (Light it up Blue), #WorldAutismAwarenessDay, #WAD and #autism. You can also turn your profile photo blue on social media by putting a blue frame over it.
• Take part in the Light It Up Blue Campaign: The biggest celebration in India is the "Light It Up Blue" initiative by Autism Speaks. As part of the day, various landmarks, buildings, homes, and communities light up in blue to show support for autism.
• Find an NGO and take action with their Initiative: Numerous NGOs in India work towards making a difference to the lives of people with autism. They run various programs and campaigns on World Autism Awareness Day, such as free screenings, medical camps, and counselling sessions for families and individuals with autism.