World Autism Awareness Day
Next: April 2, 2027
Every mind belongs.
The story
Where it comes from
The UN General Assembly created World Autism Awareness Day in resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar and adopted by consensus on 18 December 2007, and the day was first observed on 2 April 2008. Autism is a lifelong neurological difference that appears in early childhood and shapes how a person communicates, learns and takes in the world through the senses. Since then the focus has widened, driven largely by autistic advocates, from awareness to acceptance, appreciation and inclusion.
How it's celebrated
The UN holds an observance, often online, at which autistic people speak about their lives and rights. Schools, workplaces and autism societies run talks, open days and art shows, and many use the day to ask what would make a classroom, office or shop easier for autistic people to be in. The simplest way to mark it is to listen to autistic people themselves.
Did you know
- The World Health Organization estimates that about 1 in 127 people worldwide were autistic in 2021.
- The UN describes autism as a spectrum, a range of characteristics that can include keen interests in particular subjects, a liking for routine and particular ways of processing sensory information.
- In Malaysia, a group of parents and professionals set up the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) in 1986, and it was registered as a charity on 3 March 1987.
Coming up next
- The First Mobile Phone Call · April 3, 2027
- Taiwan Children's Day · April 4, 2027
- International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action · April 4, 2027
- Qingming Festival · April 5, 2027
- International Day of Conscience · April 5, 2027
- International Day of Sport for Development and Peace · April 6, 2027