Did you know that April is Autism Acceptance Month, not Autism Awareness Month?

The Autism Society of America began celebrating Autism Awareness Month in the 1970s but changed to Autism Acceptance Month in 2021 in recognition that it’s time to move beyond awareness and toward the acceptance of autistic people’s unique experiences and identities. Acceptance looks like full inclusion and the removal of barriers to the full participation of autistic people in schools, work, and the community.

Current research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that 1 in 31 children or 3.2% have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism was shown to affect 1 in 110 children back in 2006, so it has become much more common in the last 20 years. Autism occurs across all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. It is three times more common in boys than girls. Some people with autism have a genetic condition known to cause autism, but most causes are not yet known.

Autism is a developmental disability where people may behave, communicate, and interact with others in ways that are different from most people. Autism is a spectrum because it affects people very differently where some autistic people need help with nearly all aspects of their daily lives and others learn, work, and live with very little help.

Part of accepting autistic people means asking our systems to change, not asking people with autism to change. Many of these changes help everyone, not just autistic people, such as:

· Creating clear structures and expectations

· Offering breaks and sensory-friendly spaces

· Taking time to listen and meeting people where they’re at physically and emotionally

· Leaving extra time for processing, understanding, and communicating

· Using plain language and breaking information down so it is understandable to more people

· Focusing on people’s strengths and assuming capacity

Please join Quality Trust in celebrating the unique identifies of autistic people…not just in April but all year round!