Everything You Need To Know About World Autism Awareness Day
By Nina, Poppy and Kitara
World Autism Awareness Day is held on the 2nd of April, it started on December 18th 2007, when The UNGAU (United Nations General Assembly Unanimously) thoughtfully declared the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism. Did you know that there are more male people diagnosed with autism than women?
World Autism Awareness Day recognizes and spreads awareness for the rights of people with autism. It’s a disability you are born with by chance. One in 100 people is autistic, to be precise.
What exactly is autism you ask? Well, it’s a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, so to put that in a simpler form it’s difficulty in being social, communication skills and paying attention.
Chloe Hayden, an award-winning motivational speaker, actor, performer, author, influencer, content creator and disability rights activist and advocate was diagnosed autistic at the age of thirteen. At the time she felt almost excluded from society being different, but Chloe started an anonymous blog to share her feelings and to find a community, and it ended up building something bigger than she ever dreamed.
Grace Tame, an activist, artist, author and former Australian of the Year, was diagnosed with autism after finishing high school. Grace says that she finds everyday socialising harder than calculus, but walking on stage, for her, feels as easy as kindergarten maths; she feels more comfortable addressing an audience of thousands than at a private dinner function of ten. This is how she views the world.
Greta Thunberg, famous for starting the school strikes for climate change is another famous young person on the spectrum. Speaking about her diagnosis on Instagram, she said, “I have Asperger’s syndrome and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And — given the right circumstances — being different is a superpower.”
So, what do we do on World Autism Awareness Day? We do Autism-friendly events and educational activities that we do all through the month of April to increase understanding and acceptance of having autism, so if you have any free time in April maybe go check out some events!
