It seems that almost every day, the media reminds us that it is a National Day or Month: National Puppy Day, National Dessert Day, National Ice Cream Month, etc.

What comes to mind when you think of April? April Fools’ Day? Although you wouldn’t be incorrect, in the realm of autism, April marks the first day of National Autism Awareness Month.

What is National Autism Awareness Month?

Everyone is different and every disorder is different. The goal of Autism Awareness month is to educate the community by increasing awareness of disorders on the autism spectrum. By educating the public, we move closer to worldwide acceptance. Children and adults with Autism face many difficulties and challenges in their day-to-day lives, without the input of uneducated bystanders.

What is the Symbolism Behind the Autism Awareness Ribbon?

The official imagery of Autism has come to be a puzzle piece. These puzzle pieces stand for the complexity and diversity of each disorder. The brightness of the colors symbolizes hope—hope that increased awareness, early intervention, and appropriate treatments will lead to fuller and happier lives for people with autism.

What Can You Do?

Join the movement. Wear blue, the color of the ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign to show your support on April 2nd and make purchases from local and global businesses that support the Autism Society. Visit the Autism Society website to see how you can become more involved today!