World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2 to raise awareness of Autism in the world. The purpose of the day is to create awareness about Autism and also talk about the rights of people with Autism. Autism is a developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.
Autism is considered a lifelong condition. Some people with Autism can live independently, but some suffer from severe disabilities and they need others’ support to live. In this article, we will discuss more about Autism and why this day is observed.
World Autism Awareness Day history
The word Autism was discovered by the psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, who then distinguished between schizophrenia and Autism as symptoms were similar. In 1943, when pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner separated Autism as a social and emotional disorder in his article “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact”, and in 1944, he described Autism as a disorder.
In 2007, World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with the aim of promoting awareness and understanding of Autism. After its inception, the United Nations (UN) observed this significant day on April 2.
Cause of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder characterized by behavioral and communicational effects that impact a person’s ability to navigate social interactions and also cause repetitive and restricted behaviour.
The autism condition usually starts during childhood and continues into adulthood and also till the death of the person. Genetic factors also play an important role in ASD, as some children inherit genetic conditions like Rett syndrome or Fragile X syndrome, which are associated with this condition. Some researcher also suggests that environmental factors can be responsible for these conditions, including complications during pregnancy, medications during pregnancy, viral infections, or exposure to certain substances, which can increase the risk of ASD.
Theme of World Autism Awareness Day 2025
The United Nations is set to celebrate this day on Wednesday this year under the theme of “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” This year’s theme highlights how inclusive policies and practices can provide support to autistic individuals.
