World Autism Awareness Day: Theme, Objectives and Quotes

World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on the 02 April. As the day is recognized by the United Nations, the member states take measures to spread awareness about the people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is the day to recognize and celebrate the rights of persons with Autism as well as to recognize the achievements of Autistic people. Let us delve a little deeper into the important details about World Autism Awareness Day.

Objectives behind Observation of World Autism Awareness Day

The UN General Assembly announced 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need of focusing on improving the quality of life of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The objective was to make sure that people with autism get full support to lead a meaningful life as an integral part of the society.

Acceptance, accommodation and appropriate support are important so that people on the spectrum enjoy equal opportunities and basic human rights. Further, the objective of autism awareness is also to remove stigmas and discrimination associated with neurological differences.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly called Autism, is a development disorder that can impact an individual’s communication, social and behavioral skills. It is termed as ‘spectrum’ as the symptoms and severity of symptoms vary to a great extent. The differences are so wide-spread that each individual with ASD seems to be unique.

Why Do We Need a Day for Autism Awareness?

According to an estimate drawn by World Health Organization, 1 in 160 children worldwide has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Further, the reason behind the occurrence of ASD is still unknown so it becomes more important to spread awareness about improving the life quality of those affected with the neurological disorder. In fact diagnosis of ASD too is not an easy thing. There’s no particular medical test to diagnose ASD.

Themes of World Autism Awareness Day

• 2012: Launch of Official UN Awareness Raising Stamp
• 2013: Celebrating the ability within the disability of autism
• 2014: Opening Doors to Inclusive Education
• 2015: Employment: The Autism Advantage
• 2016: Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity
• 2017: Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination
• 2018: Empowering Women and Girls with Autism
• 2019: Assistive Technologies, Active Participation
• 2020: The Transition to Adulthood

The Autism Awareness Symbols

There are a few symbols used worldwide to signify Autism awareness, the most common being the ‘puzzle ribbon’. The puzzle ribbon is a trademark of Autism Society but the organization has granted its use by other not-for-profit organizations. The colorful bits of a puzzle forming a ribbon represent the diversity and complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A rainbow-colored symbol of infinity too is used widely to represent Autism awareness. You might also find a puzzle piece with the word AUTISM being used frequently. One of the recent symbols being popularized for autism awareness is a butterfly formed by colorful puzzle pieces just like the puzzle ribbon.

Quotes on World Autism Awareness Day

To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members. — Ban Ki-Moon

Everyone has a mountain to climb and autism has not been my mountain, it has been my opportunity for victory. — Rachel Barcellona

Our experiences are all unique. Regardless, I do believe that it is important to find the beautiful. Recognize that there is bad, there is ugly, there is disrespect, there is ignorance and there are meltdowns. Those things are inevitable. But there is also good. — Erin McKinney

Autism is as much a part of humanity as is the capacity to dream. — Kathleen Seidel

Autism… offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by. — Dr. Colin Zimbleman

I believe that inside every person who is bullied there is a strength and a tenacity to survive. You don’t always know that this strength exists, but if you make it through those dark times, you become aware. You become a survivor, someone whose courage and spirit is far stronger than all of the hate and cruelty of their bullies. The one thing that I want to impart to children with autism is knowledge of their own inner strength, and the belief that one day at a time, they, too, can get through this. — Amy Gravino

If you’ve met one individual with autism, you’ve met one individual with autism. — Stephen Shore

It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism is essential. –Hans Asperger

When enough people care about autism or diabetes or global warming, it helps everyone, even if only a tiny fraction actively participate. –Seth Godin

Kids have to be exposed to different things in order to develop. A child’s not going to find out he likes to play a musical instrument if you never exposed him to it. — Temple Grandin

Autism: Where the “randomness of life” collides and clashes with an individual’s need for the sameness. — Eileen Miller

Autism doesn’t have to define a person. Artists with autism are like anyone else. They define themselves through hard work and individuality. — Adrienne Bailon

Anything Is possible! If I can do it, so can you! — Dani Bowman

Why fit in when you were born to standout? — Dr. Seuss

The difference between high-functioning and low-functioning is that high-functioning means your deficits are ignored, and low-functioning means your assets are ignored. –Laura Tisoncik

At the end of the day, we don’t dream our lives… WE LIVE THEM! — Anthony Ianni

Autism is part of my child. It’s not everything he is. My child is so much more than a diagnosis. –S.L. Coelho

Even for parents of children that are not on the spectrum, there is no such thing as a normal child. — Violet Stevens

I see people with Asperger’s syndrome as a bright thread in the rich tapestry of life. — Tony Attwood

I do not suffer from Autism, but I do suffer from the way you treat me. — Tyler Durdin

Wanting to be free. Wanting to be me. Trying to make people see. And accept the real me. — Scott Lentine

Autism can’t define me. I define autism. — Kerry Magro