World Autism Awareness Day


World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day that encourages member states of the United Nations to take measures to raise global awareness of autism, promote the acceptance, appreciation and inclusion of autistic individuals and recognize such individuals' local and global contributions. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution, passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was proposed by Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, the United Nations Representative from Qatar, and supported by all member states.
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.
The terms "Autism Awareness Day" and "Autism Awareness Month" are sometimes contested by autism rights activists, who claim that they feed into ableism against autistic people. Such groups, including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, advocate using the term Autism Acceptance Day as a counter-celebration for both events under the belief that it promotes overcoming anti-autistic prejudice rather than simply increasing awareness of autism. Alternatively, Autistic Pride Day, a pride celebration organized by and for autistic people, is held annually on 18 June.

Components

The original resolution had four main components:
As of 2012, each World Autism Awareness Day has focused on a specific theme determined by the UN.
In 2014, World Autism Awareness Day 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 autistic people. By wearing a onesie or pajamas, participants are saying, "It's all right to be different".

Outcomes in the United States

In a 2015 presidential proclamation, President Obama highlighted some of the initiatives that the U.S. government was taking to protect the rights of autistic people and 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 Autism [CARES Act of 2014], which provides higher-level training to those who provide support to autistic people.
On 2 April 2025, President Donald Trump proclaimed the day in the United States. ASAN criticized Trump's proclamation for not stressing acceptance, not addressing autistic people directly, focusing only on children, claiming there had been "a staggering increase" in autism prevalence and whitewashing administration policies hostile to autistic people.