World Autism Awareness Day 2024- Theme, History & Significance

World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2nd April every year around the world. This Day underscores the need to help improve the quality of life of persons afflicted with autism. It also promotes the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental rights for people afflicted with autism on an equal basis with other people.

World Autism Day seeks to raise awareness of society regarding children with autism. It emphasises the need that children with disabilities should enjoy a decent life with dignity so that the child can actively participate in the community and enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children. 

Background to the Autism Awareness Day 

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 18 December 2007 to observe  2 April 2008 every year as World Autism Day to raise public awareness about Autism. The UN resolution also calls upon the member countries of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding children with autism.

In 2008, the first World Autism Awareness Day was observed worldwide.

Theme of the World Autism Awareness Day 2024

Every year, the United Nations chooses a theme to highlight a specific autism-related issue and to raise awareness worldwide.

The theme of World Autism Awareness Day 2024 is, Empowering Autistic Voices. 

What is Autism?

Autism or Autism spectrum disorder (ASD is a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and is a lifelong condition. It mostly affects children and is manifested during the first three years of life. Autism spectrum disorder is also called a developmental disorder”.

A person with autism has a problem in interacting with other children or people and in communicating with them. They have problems understanding what other people think and feel. Thus, they have difficulty in expressing themselves with either words or gestures or facial expressions or touch. They also have problems with learning.

Therapy of Autism 

There is no medicine for the treatment of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Each child's symptoms may differ. A specifically designed treatment for each child can help children with ASD acquire new skills that can help them overcome a variety of developmental challenges. There is no cure for Autism spectrum disorder. The aim of the therapy is to improve the child’s ability to socialise with other children. The common therapy advocated for children suffering from autism spectrum disorder includes specifically designed speech-language therapy, play-based therapy, behaviour therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional therapy.