Activities for the Autism Acceptance Month

Published: 31 Mar 2023 Tagged: acceptanceactivitiesappreciationAsperger’s SyndromeAspies for FreedomAutismautism acceptance monthautism appreciation monthautism awareness monthautismawarenessmonthAutistic Pride Dayawarenessdiscriminationignorancetipsworld autism awareness day

The month of April is recognised worldwide as Autism Acceptance Month. Every year in the month of April, mainstream, print, and social media outlets shine a focus on autism. People and organisations unite to celebrate difference throughout society, in our neighbourhoods, in our schools, and in every sector of the economy. Actually, accepting differences should be a daily practise.

There are so many amazing ways to help the autistic community, as well as some things you should avoid doing in order to do so.

Things to avoid:

• Light It Up Blue. Please don't turn it blue to mark Autism Acceptance Day. The "Light It Up Blue" slogan came from a "Autism Speaks" campaign that had a highly unfavourable, medicalized view of autism as something that needed to be cured or extinguished. Many in the autistic community urge that people not "Light It Up Blue," since such campaigns designed to illuminate the route to autism cures only serve to reinforce the damaging pathologizing narrative on autism.
• Puzzle Pieces. Please refrain from using puzzle pieces as a representation of autism or the autistic experience. Non-autistic led organisations and groups have a long history of using the puzzle piece as a symbol. As well, due to its history of use by organisations led by neurotypical or non-autistic people who claim to speak for autistic people or to be the foremost authorities on the autistic experience, the majority of the autistic community has rejected the puzzle piece. The puzzle piece has long been used as a symbol for the idea that there is a "piece" missing from autistic persons, and that this missing piece could really be the last component needed to find a "cure" for autism. The idea that there is a "piece" missing from the group of autistic people and, furthermore, the notion that people need to be "cured" are rejected by the majority of the autistic community.
• Autism Awareness Language. Please refrain from using terminology like "Autism Awareness" or encouraging others to become "aware" of autism. There was a need for awareness of autism in earlier times, especially before the internet, social media, and global access to information, as we did not have the information as easily available as we do now, where it can be found in a matter of seconds. Instead, speak in terms of "acceptance" or "appreciation" of autism and/or autism-related experiences.
• Silence Autistic Voices. Please don't suppress autistic people's voices. Even in 2023, we frequently observe occasions where non-autistic people take centre stage while discussing autistic life experiences. We need to centre autistic voices, be autistic-led, and elevate autistic professionals, social media postings, and publications rather than pulling the mic away from autistic voices and effectively silencing them. Work with autistic people, hire autistic consultants, and support autistic organisations.

Things to do to support the Autism Acceptance Month:

• Amplify Autistic Voices. We need to centre autistic voices, be autistic-led, and promote autistic professionals, autistic advocates, their social media posts, and publications rather than pulling the mic away from autistic voices and effectively silencing them. Work with autistic people, hire autistic consultants, and support autistic organisations. Autism voices should be heard loud and clear.
• Use Red Instead or Light It Up Gold. You can observe Autism Acceptance Month without using a colour, however most members of the autistic community support the use of red or gold. The "Autism Speaks - Light It Up Blue" campaign was opposed by the autistic community, who opted to go "Red Instead." Many autistic people prefer to self-identify as such by using the Gold Infinity Symbol or the Rainbow Infinity Symbol. Also, a lot of autistic people enjoy including the chemical symbol for gold in their social media pages.
• Use the Infinity Symbol. Several members of the autism community favour using the Infinity Symbol to signify the autistic experience for the reasons outlined above (See Puzzle Piece).
• Use language of Acceptance. Autistic people prefer the language of acceptance and understanding of the autistic experience for the reasons mentioned above (see Autism Awareness).

For any topic related to professional support to people with Autism, Speakable is here with its highly specialized team to help you. Feel free to contact us!