April 2 is World Autism Day. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It can cause some people to behave or communicate in distinct ways. Autism is typically diagnosed during childhood and can be treated with a variety of therapeutic methods.

Behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and medication are just some tools that can be used to treat autism. People with autism can live happy and productive lives in society; however, they do face challenges, and a large part of that is due to stigma and lack of education. The purpose of World Autism Day is to help raise more awareness about autism, decrease stigma, and work toward ensuring that anyone with autism is treated fairly.

There are many different ways you can go about observing World Autism Day and showing support to these members of our community.

Learning More About Autism for World Autism Day

One of the best things that you can do to observe World Autism Day is to further educate yourself on what it is. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism affects approximately one in four children. It can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, race, background, or gender. It is about four times more common for boys to be diagnosed with autism than for girls.

Some people with autism will engage in repetitive behaviors. They may also have a very intense focus on certain things but seem to not care or overlook others. People with autism often have trouble communicating with others or paying attention. Some people with autism can speak clearly, while some may not speak at all.

You can be at different places on the spectrum, and some people may display symptoms more than others.

Identifying the Signs of Autism

Some common signs that parents will notice in children with autism include:

• Not making eye contact with people
• Not responding when their name is called
• Not being able to understand when others are hurt
• Doesn’t want to play simple games
• Doesn’t understand when others are trying to play with them
• Not showing different facial expressions when they are feeling different emotions

It is good to make sure a child is diagnosed as early as possible. Early intervention can help ensure the child better success later in life.

Understanding Autism and Stigma

Stigma is a negative opinion or belief toward someone over a characteristic that they cannot control. It can affect them in a negative way. Children with autism grow up to be adults. Some may choose to attend college and later enter the workforce. But negative stigma can hold them back from accomplishing these dreams.

Consider an adult with autism interviewing for a job they are highly capable of. If the employer sees that they are different, they may be less likely to hire them over someone who is not on the spectrum. It’s in ways like this that individuals with autism miss out.

You can help get rid of stigma even through the way you talk about those with autism. This can be done by saying “a person with autism” instead of saying an “autistic person.” By doing this, you are putting the human being before their disorder and not defining them by their disorder.

Ways You Can Observe World Autism Day

Even if you don’t know anybody with autism, there are still plenty of ways that you can observe this day. You could consider participating in the Autism Speaks Walk. This is a large national fundraiser that is held to support the needs of those with autism in the community and to spread awareness about autism as a whole. It is meant to help remove stigma, provide those with autism and their families with a sense of community and support, and make it possible for more research to be done.

All you have to do is go to the Autism Speaks Walk website and type in your zip code, and you can find a walk near you. Even if you can’t participate by walking yourself, you can still show support financially by sponsoring one of the walkers or donating directly.

You can also look online to see what sort of events in your area are going on in relation to World Autism Day. Some cities hold things like concerts to raise money for charity, golf fundraisers, and free seminars.

There are many ways that you can show support to those with autism without spending money. You can spread awareness on social media using the tag #WorldAutismAwarenessDay. Maybe you have an inspiring story about someone you know with autism that you can share with others.

Remember that a big part of stigma comes from a simple lack of education. By working to inform others about what autism is, we can effectively destroy stigma over time. If you hear someone spreading incorrect information about autism, make the point to correct them. It can make all the difference.

At first, it can be difficult for a parent to find out that their child has autism. They may feel overwhelmed and as if they don’t know what the right things are to do for them. These parents may struggle with feeling isolated from other parents because their child is different. This, combined with the other stresses associated with having a child with autism, can be very stressful. It can take a major toll on your mental health, and some parents may feel the need to turn to substance misuse to cope. If you’re struggling with your mental health or addiction, The Kimberly Center can help. Call (855) 452-3683 today to learn more about the types of services we offer.