The twelfth annual World Autism Awareness Day is today, April 2, 2019. Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes, and communities around the world, light blue in recognition of people living with autism.
On World Autism Awareness Day and throughout April (which is Autism Awareness Month), local organizations hold a variety of events and educational activities to help the public learn more about autism spectrum disorder, which impacts 1% of the world’s population.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.
We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.
At sonder SOLUTIONS, we provide employment services to individuals with barriers, whether it be ASD or something else entirely. We focus on empowering the individual and create opportunities for them so they can grow to be more independent.
Here’s how you can observe World Autism Awareness Day:
1. Get Involved
Reach out to local organizations (like sonder SOLUTIONS) to see how you can help! You can also plan and execute a fundraiser for that organization, or a fundraiser for Light It Up Blue.
2. March
If you live in the DC area, you can join the Power of One march. It takes place on the evening of April 2nd; but if you don’t live in the area, you may find a similar march in your town.
3. Educate Yourself
There are a number of online talks and seminars which educate us about living with autism Check them out!
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