When Is Autism Awareness Month?
Autism Awareness Month is recognized every April in the United States. World Autism Awareness Day, designated by the United Nations, falls on April 2 each year and marks the start of the month long observance. In recent years, many autism organizations and self advocates have also started using the terms Autism Acceptance Month or Autism Acceptance Day, reflecting a shift in focus from simply raising awareness to promoting genuine understanding, inclusion, and acceptance of autistic people.
Why April?
April was first designated as a month of autism awareness in the United States in the 1970s by the Autism Society, and World Autism Awareness Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, with the first observance in 2008. The timing was chosen to create a dedicated period for education, advocacy, and community building around autism each year.
Awareness vs. Acceptance: What's the Difference?
Awareness generally refers to helping the public understand what autism is. Acceptance goes further, focusing on valuing autistic people as they are, supporting genuine inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities, and centering autistic voices in conversations about autism. Many organizations, including a growing number of autistic led groups, now prefer Autism Acceptance Month because it reflects a more complete goal than awareness alone.
You will likely see both terms used throughout April, and that is okay. What matters most is the spirit behind the observance: building a more informed and inclusive world for autistic individuals and their families.
How Can Families and Communities Participate?
Learn directly from autistic voices, including books, blogs, and social media accounts run by autistic adults and self advocates.
Support autism focused organizations through donations, volunteering, or attending local events.
Talk to your children's school about how they recognize the month and whether there are opportunities for inclusive activities.
Share accurate information rather than myths or oversimplified statistics, especially on social media.
Celebrate autistic individuals in your life and community, not just the challenges associated with autism, but the strengths and perspectives autistic people bring.
Is There a Specific Color or Symbol for Autism Awareness?
Blue has historically been associated with autism awareness campaigns, largely through the Light It Up Blue initiative. However, many in the autism community now prefer other symbols, such as the rainbow infinity symbol, which represents the diversity of the autism spectrum and was created within the autistic community itself, in contrast to symbols created by outside organizations. If you are choosing how to represent support for autism, it is worth considering which symbols autistic self advocates have embraced.
How Does Cortica Recognize Autism Acceptance Month?
Throughout April, our clinical teams, families, and community partners come together to share resources, celebrate the children and families we work with, and highlight the strengths and progress we see every day in our centers. If you are a Cortica family, watch for ways to get involved at your local center throughout the month.
