Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month: Every Day is a Day to Celebrate Neurodiversity!

April showers bring May flowers! However, April is also well-known as Autism Awareness Month. After years of campaigns and advocacy, the United Nations passed a resolution in 2008 to signify April 2nd as Worldwide Autism Awareness Day. (Dever, 2021) This time is dedicated to further understanding, empowering, and including the voices of autistic individuals. This month has been celebrated worldwide for years, however, a growing change in language brings on a meaningful transformation into not only the spread of awareness but to actively promote inclusion and acceptance (Dever, 2021).

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, interact, and experience the world around them. It’s important to understand that autism is not a disease; rather, it’s a neurological difference that is part of the vast range of human experience (Dever, 2021). Autistic individuals bring new, fun ideas and talents, meaningful relationships and experiences, and contribute to our wonderful world in many ways. 

Shifting Awareness to Acceptance

Autism Awareness Month has historically been focused on the challenges and struggles associated with raising autistic children. Through the medical model of disability, terms like “deficit”, “symptoms,” and “red flags” are often used to describe autistic individuals. This approach can frame autism negatively and can compare autistic individuals to non-autistic individuals. This can contribute to the stigma and fear surrounding autism. Misunderstandings and misconceptions are common due to the lack of acceptance, and unconscious biases are prevalent nonetheless (Cage et al., 2017). Recently, advocacy led by autistic individuals has been presented to shift the focus toward acceptance rather than awareness. The social model of disability, developed by disability rights activists, emphasizes that external factors, such as societal barriers and biases, can negatively contribute to experiences for autistic individuals. Yes, we can experience physical barriers, however the systematic attitudes create a lack of acceptance and understanding which impacts societies approach as a whole (Cage, et.al., 2017) Larger organizations including National Autism Society are joining the acceptance movement, shifting the idea of an “Autism Epidemic” or something to fear, toward a forward moving conversation surrounding how we can support each individual and their needs (Dever, 2021). 

Why Does Acceptance Matter?

Acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity should be a daily practice. Autistic people deserve to have their voices heard, they deserve to be seen and valued for exactly who they are, not just in April, but every day. What does acceptance mean? Here are a few ways we can practice acceptance: 

• Creating Inclusive Schools, Workplaces, and Communities 

• An understanding and accepting environment starts with our schools, workplaces, and our general communities that we are a part of. Inclusion as well as accommodations allows individuals to have a space where they can thrive (Dever, 2021). Fostering a space where individuals are provided with the support and acceptance they need not only creates emotional growth, safety, and success but also positively supports mental health for autistic individuals.  

• Listening to Autistic Voices and Valuing Their Experiences 

• • Autistic individuals are experts in themselves and their own experiences; listening to their voices is important to developing appropriate policies, services, and programs that support this population. Understanding that every person is different and embracing all traits of every human and their behaviors enhances acceptance of neurodiversity and helps create a more inclusive and accepting society. 

What Can We Do?

• Educate Yourself and Others! 

• • • Learn from autistic individuals and their experiences, seek out resources that support and uplift autistic voices, and educate yourself on the myths and stereotypes surrounding autism. 

• Practice Inclusivity! 

• • • Include everyone in all spaces, whether that is in a work, home, school, or a community setting, autistic individuals deserve to feel welcome and accepted in all spaces. Using inclusive language that does not single out, harm, or depict autism as negative is a first step in acceptance and inclusion for all individuals (Dever, 2021). 

• Celebrate Strengths! 

• • Autistic individuals all have their own special talents and unique abilities, which can be a great gift in our communities. Celebrate the strengths of autistic individuals rather than focusing on the challenges. Empowering individuals allows them to feel accepted and heard within every space they enter. 

For Families, Friends, and Providers

If you know or work with an individual on the spectrum, it’s essential to understand and develop your learning to contribute to ensuring autistic individuals are heard, loved, and accepted.  It’s important to take the time to understand the unique experiences of autistic individuals and to stay curious! Whether it’s communication, their needs, or anything that might make them more comfortable in a space, take that time to value their insight. Every autistic person is different in their own beautiful way, so staying flexible is key to understanding the different approaches and supports they may need. Let’s celebrate strengths and work together to find ways in which everyone can be heard, regardless of differences. Instead of focusing on what individuals cannot do, let’s continue to collaborate and define what it means to have a shared understanding of true acceptance for all. 

Identify-First Language Disclaimer

In this blog, the use of identity-first language (e.g., “autistic individual”) falls into the preferences of many within the autistic community. Identity-first language reflects the idea that autism is an important and integral piece of one’s identity and is not seen as something separate. Language preferences are respected and acknowledged, and can vary between every individual. This blog aims to uplift the voices of autistic individuals and their self-advocacy while still acknowledging every individual’s preference. For more information about identity-first language, see the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) at https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/ 

Questions or Concerns? 

If you have questions or concerns about Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month or similar topics, please contact us at info@playworkschicago.com or 773-332-9439.

Ella Sadowski, MSW, LSW

Licensed Social Worker 

Resources: 

ASAN. (2025). Identity-First Language. Autistic Self Advocacy Network. https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/ 

Cage, E., Di Monaco, J., & Newell, V. (2017). Experiences of Autism Acceptance and Mental Health in Autistic Adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 473–484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3342-7 

CDC. (2025). Autism Partner Toolkit. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/php/toolkit/index.html 

Dever, M. (2021). Moving from Autism Awareness to Acceptance – Language of Inclusion. Canadian Journal of Autism Equity, 1(1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.15173/cjae.v1i1.4985  

Tags: Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, Autism Awareness, Autism Acceptance, Autism Acceptance Month, Neurodiversity, Inclusion, Celebrate Neurodiversity

#AutismAwarenessMonth

#NeurodiversityAffirming

#AutismAcceptanceMonth

#CelebrateNeurodiversity

#WorldAutismAwarnessDay

#EveryVoiceMatters

#Inclusion

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