Autistic Pride Day 2022 and its Significance
18 June is observed as Autistic Pride Day. It recognises the importance of pride for autistic people and its role in bringing about positive changes in the broader society.
Autistic Pride Day is represented by the rainbow infinity symbol. This symbol is intended to represent the diversity of autistic people and the infinite possibilities and variations within the autistic community.
According to representatives of Autistic Pride Day, people with autism have unique characteristics that provide them with both rewards and challenges. Although many of the difficulties they face are because of their neurodiversity, another factor is issues in society. For example, society’s attitude towards autism is often one of pity or a belief that it is a condition requiring treatment.
Another similar event is World Autism Awareness Day which is observed on 2 April. It aims to encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autism spectrum disorder throughout the world.
Quick facts about Autistic Pride Day
Here are quick facts about autism across the globe.
- SD affects about 1 in 68 children in the United States, with more children identified than ever before.
- ASD is about 4 times more likely in boys than girls.
- ASD affects children of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
- ASD is a spectrum disorder, which means that every child with ASD has different skills, challenges, and needs.
- While do not know all of the causes of ASD, we have learned that there are likely many contributing factors, including genes, early brain development, and the environment.
- ASD can be reliably diagnosed by age 2, but children may be diagnosed at earlier ages.
- Early identification of ASD helps children get the services they need.
- There is no “cure” for ASD, but there are several interventions that can help children learn important skills that improve everyday life.
- Typically, the earlier children are diagnosed and receive services, the better their outcomes are.
- Children with ASD can learn and succeed in the classroom and beyond. Like every child, with the help of their families, providers, doctors, specialists, and communities, kids with ASD can thrive.
History of Autistic Pride Day
Autistic Pride Day was first celebrated in 2005 by Aspies For Freedom (AFF), who selected June 18 because it was the birthday of the youngest member of the group at that time. AFF modelled the celebration on the gay pride movement. According to Kabie Brook, the co-founder of Autism Rights Group Highland (ARGH), “the most important thing to note about the day is that it is an autistic community event: it originated from and is still led by autistic people ourselves”, i.e. it is not a day for other charities or organisations to promote themselves or stifle autistic people.
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