Autistic Pride Day 2022 – All You Need To Know It
Autistic Pride Day falls on the 18th of June every year and celebrates the neurodiversity of all the individuals who fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1% of the world’s population i.e. more than 75,000,000 have some form of autism or the other.
What is Autism?
The World Health Organisation defines Autism Spectrum Disorders as a group of mental health conditions that make social interactions and communication difficult for those suffering from them. People with an autism disorder find it difficult to focus on a task or transition from one task to another. The effect of the disorder may be mild, moderate or severe and people with autism require support and care throughout their lives. It is a developmental disorder of the brain that is visible within the first three years of life.
Why is Autistic Pride Day celebrated?
The day is observed to acknowledge the people with autism, include them in the society and create awareness about the disorder. This day was first celebrated in 2005 by Aspies For Freedom, a group that stands for the rights of people with autism, to make the general public aware that these people are not to be treated as different but as unique individuals. The symbol for Autistic Pride Day is the Rainbow Infinity. It signifies accepting autistic people as they are and providing them with ample opportunities to bring out the best in them. The theme for 2022 is Inclusive Education. It is built on the belief that the right education will empower them to find their place in the world’s workforce.
Read more – Ways to make your classroom inclusive
How can you celebrate Autism Pride Day?
Celebrating Autism Pride Day is all about creating awareness about the condition. You can celebrate this special day in many ways. Check out some below.
Party hard
Creating awareness about autism is as easy as throwing a party. Get together with friends and family and while you share great food, share valuable information about autism along with different ways you can care for people with this condition. Make it an informative party where people go back not just with return gifts but with autism awareness.
Attend/host an event
Go to an autism event near you and gather all the information about the condition. Find like-minded people to accompany you or identify these events. If there are no such events in and around your locality, you can take the initiative and host one yourself. Choose a park or any public place that can host large groups of people for this event. It is not difficult to get information about autism in the era of the Internet, is it?
Show your support
If you would like to keep it simple yet do your bit in creating awareness for autism, wear the rainbow infinity symbol on your hat or a badge while you carry on with your day as usual. This could create curiosity in people around you and compel them to explore more about autism.
Autism is just a condition that people may have. It shouldn’t define them. As members of human society, it is our responsibility to create awareness and eliminate the bias that people may have about individuals with autism. We are doing our bit. Are you?
