It is now officially April, which is also known as Autism Acceptance Month. This month was first established in 1970, and it was previously known as Autism Awareness Month. Over time, it has moved from mere awareness to acceptance as society moves away from the stigma of autism as an illness or debilitating lifestyle and pushes the truth that autism is a natural part of human experience. Many believed awareness was a mere focus on the condition itself, whereas acceptance fosters an understanding, inclusion and celebration of autistic individuals.
According to the CDC, one in six children aged 3-17 are diagnosed with a developmental disability including (but not limited to) ASD, ADHD, blindness, cerebral palsy and many others. Furthermore, it was found that one in 31 children aged 8 had been diagnosed with ASD in a 2022 survey. Over time, we have seen a much higher prevalence of children with autism, with only one in 150 children aged 8 being diagnosed with ASD in a 2000 survey. With more awareness of autism, more people are able to get diagnosed, and with this awareness, we were able to make great changes in the way people perceive an autism diagnosis, but shifting to acceptance was a much needed change.
How can you support autistic people?
Listen to autistic voices
Autistic voices are too often silenced, pushed away, hidden and spoken over by allistics for decades, resulting in higher suicide rates (with 66% of autistic adults having suicidal thoughts or ideation) and higher rates of depression and anxiety. Allistics should not speak for autistic people and instead listen to their autistic peers.
Share and interact with posts on social media from autistic creators
Some of my personal favorites include Charlie Kiley, Toren Wolf and Kaelynn Partlow.
Ingest media (books, videos, podcasts, movies/tv, etc.)
Some recommendations: “Unmasking Autism” by Devon Price; “Love on a Spectrum”—a documentary TV show about people on the autism spectrum delving into the world of dating; Heartbreak High, I have not personally watched this but from what I’ve seen the writers heavily involved the actor who is also autistic in portraying autism accurately on screen (bonus points: she’s also queer!).
Key note to add on here, be sure the media you consume is autistic-written or -produced, if no input was taken from someone with autism it is likely only portraying stereotypes (for example, Sia’s film “Masking”).
Do not support Autism Speaks, the Puzzle Piece or Light it Up Blue
Autism Speaks is a hate group who does not care for the needs or well being of autistic individuals.
Their ad campaigns are fearmongering, one of them features a woman attempting suicide because she has an autistic child and a horror style advert with a voiceover saying, “I am autism, I will ruin your marriage, I work faster than pediatric AIDS and cancer.” It presents autism as demonic and life-ruining.
The Puzzle Piece logo was popularized by Autism Speaks and was created to signify that autistic people have ‘a piece missing’ or ‘something that needs to be solved.’
Light it Up Blue was also popularized by Autism Speaks. Light it Up Blue is based on the harmful incorrect stereotype that autism is a “boy's disorder.”
Wear Red instead to support all autistic people and use the rainbow infinity sign instead of the puzzle piece.
Lastly, I think you should give your autistic friend $20 because you love them! Just kidding, of course... Instead, you can indulge in their special interests by spending time with them or even just listening to them talk about the things they love; it will truly mean a lot to them.
Have an amazing Autism Acceptance Month to all my fellow autists!