Medicine:World Autism Awareness Day

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World Autism Awareness Day
Organizador de Autismo en La Moneda.jpg
A World Autism Awareness Day event in Santiago, Chile
Official nameWorld Autism Awareness Day
Observed byUnited Nations member states
DateApril 2
Next time2 April 2025 (2025-04-02)
Frequencyannual
Short description: Day to raise autism awareness


World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on April 2 every year, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger syndrome throughout the world.[1][2] It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/RES/62/139).[3] World Autism Awareness Day", passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was proposed by Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the United Nations Representative from Qatar and consort to Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and supported by all member states.[4][5][6][7]

This resolution was passed and adopted without a vote in the UN General Assembly, mainly as a supplement to previous UN initiatives to improve human rights.[6]

World Autism Day is one of only seven official health-specific UN Days.[8] The day itself brings individual autism organizations together all around the world to aid in things like research, diagnoses, treatment, and acceptance for those with a developmental path affected by autism.

The terms "Autism Awareness Day" and "Autism Awareness Month" are often contested by autism rights advocates, who claim that they feed into perceived ableism against autistic people. Such groups, including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, advocate using the term "Autism Acceptance" as an alternative for both events under the belief that it promotes overcoming anti-autism prejudice rather than simply increasing awareness of autism.[9][10]

Components

The original resolution had four main components:

  • the establishment of the second day of April as World Autism Awareness Day,[11] beginning in 2008
  • invitation to Member States and other relevant organizations to the UN or the international societal system, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to create initiatives to raise public awareness of autism
  • encourages Member States to raise awareness of autism on all levels in society
  • asks the UN Secretary-General to deliver this message to member states and all other UN organizations[12]

Themes

For the past years, each World Autism Awareness Day has focused on a specific theme determined by the UN.

Notable initiatives

Onesie Wednesday

In 2014, WAAD coincided with Onesie Wednesday, a day created by the National Autistic Society to encourage people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to show their support for anyone on the autistic spectrum. By wearing a onesie or pyjamas, participants are saying, "it's all right to be different".[23]

Outcomes

United States

In a 2015 Presidential Proclamation, President Obama highlighted some of the initiatives that the US government was taking to bring rights to those with autism and to bring awareness to the disorder. He highlighted things like The Affordable Care Act, which prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition such as autism. He also pointed out the recent Autism CARES Act of 2014, which provides higher level training for those who are serving citizens on the autism spectrum.[24]

See also

  • Awareness day
  • Autism friendly
  • Autism rights movement
  • Autism Sunday
  • Autistic Pride Day
  • Societal and cultural aspects of autism
  • United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities

References

  1. ↑ "WHEN IS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY". Business Standard India. https://www.business-standard.com/about/when-is-world-autism-awareness-day#collapse. 
  2. ↑ "Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder – ASD): The Definitive Guide – What is Autism Awareness?" (in en). 29 April 2020. https://otsimo.com/en/autism-spectrum-disorder-definitive-guide/#what-is-autism-awareness. 
  3. ↑ Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day – background" (in en). https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day/background#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20General%20Assembly,an%20integral%20part%20of%20society.. 
  4. ↑ "Third Committee Calls on Assembly to Designate 2 April World Autism Day | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". https://www.un.org/press/en/2007/gashc3899.doc.htm. 
  5. ↑ "General Assembly Adopts Landmark Text Calling for Moratorium on Death Penalty | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". https://www.un.org/press/en/2007/ga10678.doc.htm. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "United Nations Marks First World Autism Awareness Day Today | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". https://www.un.org/press/en/2008/note6138.doc.htm. 
  7. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day 2017". http://jobsmedia.org/2017/04/world-autism-awareness-day-2017.html. 
  8. ↑ "UN – Global Issues – Health". https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/health/index.html. 
  9. ↑ S., Kassiane (4 April 2012). "Acceptance vs. Awareness". https://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/acceptance-vs-awareness/. 
  10. ↑ Bullus, Erin; Sesterka, Abby (1 April 2020). "Moving Beyond Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance". Thomas, John. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insights-about-autism/202004/moving-beyond-autism-awareness-autism-acceptance. 
  11. ↑ "Facts & Myths about Autism – Autism Awareness Day 2017 – Belair Daily" (in en-US). https://www.belairdaily.com/facts-myths-about-autism-autism-awareness-day-2017/6257.html. 
  12. ↑ "United Nations General Assembly". 21 January 2008. https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/images/waad/unresolution_english.pdf. 
  13. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April" (in en). https://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/events2012.shtml. 
  14. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April" (in en). https://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/events2013.shtml. 
  15. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April" (in en). http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/events2014.shtml. 
  16. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April" (in en). http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/events2015.shtml. 
  17. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April | United Nations Enable" (in en-US). https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/news/dspd/world-autism-awareness-day-2-april.html. 
  18. ↑ "Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination – World Autism Awareness Day 2017" (in en). http://webtv.un.org/watch/toward-autonomy-and-self-determination-world-autism-awareness-day-2017/5380816054001. 
  19. ↑ "2018 World Autism Awareness Day". https://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/. 
  20. ↑ "World Autism Awareness Day 2018" (in en). http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/. 
  21. ↑ Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day – EN" (in en). https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day. 
  22. ↑ Nations, United. "World Autism Awareness Day – EN" (in en). https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day. 
  23. ↑ "About Onesie Wednesday". National Autistic Society. http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money/onesie-wednesday/what-is-onesie-wednesday.aspx. 
  24. ↑ "Presidential Proclamation – World Autism Awareness Day, 2015". whitehouse.gov. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/04/01/presidential-proclamation-world-autism-awareness-day-2015. 




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