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World Autism Awareness Day was established by the United Nations in 2007 through a resolution sponsored by Qatar; and organized, by leading international autistic organizations, it is designed to encourage member nations to spread the word about ASD and fund solid-going autism research to make the lives of people with autism better. Today, the whole world recognizes the same day to recognize this disorder and empowers people with autism to feel included and supported.
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental condition that affects one’s capacity to communicate socially, socialize, or replicate behaviors or interests: what autism is. It is a spectrum disorder that affects each person differently and to different levels of impairment.
The term “autism” was created in 1911 by the Swiss psychiatrist when describing the social withdrawal frequently found in schizophrenic spectrum disorder; however, it wasn’t until the 1940s that doctors, including Dr. Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, provided a more accurate and detailed description of autism.
World Autism Awareness Day 2024 Theme
The theme “Colour” for World Autism Awareness Day 2024 is to honor and cherish the diverse spectrum of abilities and experiences in the autism community. Each person has a shining color that represents their personality, strengths, and challenges. Celebrating the colors of the spectrum is to say we celebrate the whole person — the rainbow of their personality, experiences, and life. This theme reminds us to look beyond the stereotypes and misconceptions and to ensure that people with autism are welcomed and valued in every community. The theme is here to be the light to ignite inclusivity, education, and acceptance, getting to the heart and soul of awareness. With more knowledge and understanding, acceptance will shine bright. Let’s paint the world with a color spectrum of understanding, awareness, and acceptance for all people, no matter where they sit on the neurodiversity color wheel.
World Autism Awareness Day Theme 2023:
“Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts. 5 and in policymaking”
Focuses on the major achievements and contributions of people with autism in various industries.
World Autism Awareness Day Theme 2022:
“Inclusive Quality Education for All”
This theme is focused on ensuring access to quality education for people with autism and creating inclusive and diverse learning environments.
World Autism Awareness Day Theme 2021:
“Inclusion in the Workplace”
Its primary goal is to fight for equal opportunities for people with autism and create an inclusive working atmosphere.
World Autism Awareness Day Theme 2020:
“The Transition to Adulthood”
Will address the life struggles and challenges of individuals with autism as they transition to adulthood.
World Autism Awareness Day Theme 2019:
“Assistive Technologies, Active Participation” Focuses on the role of assistive technologies and their power to facilitate active participation.
World Autism Awareness Day Theme 2018:
“Empowering Women and Girls with Autism” Aim to celebrate the strength, resilience, and qualities of girls and women with autism.
Significance of World Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Awareness Day is a vital event in the bid to sensitize people and create awareness for the entire universe to understand and be aware of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The following are reasons why World Autism Awareness Day is significant:
- It is an event to create awareness and educate people on the challenges and the strong points of an individual living with ASD. The event ensures awareness of everyone living with a disorder in every community.
- It is an event to create inclusion. By living openly on the unique intelligence possessed by individuals with autism during the event, there is a call for an inclusive society. We, therefore, call unto the community to ensure all both on and off the spectrum participate in all activities of the society
- It is evidence-based advocacy. The event is a call for evidence to act in decision-making to have an inclusive society.
- The event is beneficial to power. It is to say, as individuals, with autism, it is beneficial in ensuring resources and support for communities with others, and with the same problem, they can attain organizational resistance.
Causes of Autism
Autism spectrum disorder’s etiology comprises several factors that interact in a complex manner. Genetic mutations, such as those associated with neurodevelopmental processes, are known to play a critical role in increasing susceptibility to ASD. Moreover, prenatal factors, such as maternal illness during gene expression or maternal intake of teratogenic drugs, have been proposed as possible causes, although conclusive evidence has yet to be generated regarding this correlation. Furthermore, ASD susceptibility appeared to be modulated in some cases by environmental promoters, such as toxins or pollution, although the exact mechanisms remain uncertain. Although the specific causes of ASD are not yet known, extant theory suggests a multifactorial interaction between heredity and environment.
Symptoms of Autism
Autism disorder includes a diverse array of symptoms that negatively affect social interaction, behavior, sensory perception, and processing. Therefore, describing these symptoms is highly important for recognizing and providing support to individuals with ASD. Particularly, the most common symptoms individuals with autism exhibit are the following:
Social interaction challenges:
Difficulty in deciphering social cues and the inability to conduct reciprocal communication manifests through the inability to establish eye contact and respond in conversations.
Repetitive actions and special interests:
Hand-flapping and a rigid focus on routine activities and special interests, among others, are frequent. Hyperfixation on topics or objects may occur.
Sensory sensibility:
Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity may significantly impact behavior and the comfort of individuals. Loud noises and certain textures are particularly triggering.
Emotional understanding and expression:
Expressing and understanding emotions is frequently highly problematic, which complicates social situations and communication for individuals.
Language delays or limited abilities:
Speech development delays, restricted vocabulary, and problems with non-verbal communication also characterize ASD. Therefore, they require highly specialized intervention and support. By understanding these symptoms, one can make sure to find out if their loved one is suffering from autism.
How to Commemorate World Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Awareness Day is a day to remember the living, loving, working, and socializing with autism and embrace their bonds through it. You can celebrate the day in 2024 as follows.
- Learn more about it: the day can provide the best opportunity to gain knowledge on autism, how to identify it, and its impact on children and the families involved.
- Creating awareness making acquaintances of what autism is, sharing it on social media platforms, and educating the event in community centers.
- Donate tokens of appreciation to autism companies as a way of showing moral support.
- You can also use the unofficial color blue and wear blue clothes and even lighten your house with blue color. It will be a great day to remember the support and care of the society for those with autism.
Dr. Positive Autism group recognizes this special day as another celebration of our dedication and support to all members of the Autism spectrum and their families. Our audacity and passion to drive forward change to make the lives of those impacted by Autism better is peerless, and on World Autism Awareness Day, we commit our unwavering understanding, acceptance, and support. We are all in the process of making our planet a better place for all, regardless of their mental makeup, and together we can all make it possible for everyone to make it.