April 17th, 2020

History of World Autism Month

“April is World Autism Month, an annual opportunity for a dedicated conversation about autism spectrum disorder. Autism touches more than 70 million people globally. Approximately 1 in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada and this number continues to grow.

In 2008, The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day – many countries around the world light up their landmarks blue to help increase understanding and acceptance of people with Autism. In 2012, the Canadian Parliament passed the World Autism Awareness Day Act recognizing April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.

Join us in celebrating the whole month of April by showing your support.”

Source: https://www.autismspeaks.ca/get-involved/participate/world-autism-month/

Autism, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

“Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity. People on the autism spectrum are no exception. Sometimes people ignore or don’t believe that a person on the autism spectrum can have romantic or sexual feelings towards others, but that is not true! Similarly, some people believe that individuals on the autism spectrum cannot have a nonconforming gender identity or a nonconforming sexual orientation, but that is not true either!”

Source: https://researchautism.org/sex-ed-guide-sexual-orientation-gender-identity/

Read more about how the Waterloo Region District Board supports Safe Caring Inclusive Schools (SCIS) https://www.wrdsb.ca/our-schools/safe-schools/

Get Involved

“Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world, light blue in support of building a kinder and more inclusive world for people with autism. We understand COVID-19 pandemic is causing disruption to our daily lives but please join this global campaign Light It Up Blue while staying at home and being safe.

Join us in celebrating World Autism Month and #LightItUpBlue by downloading these assets and sharing on social media to show your support from the autism community.

Add a #LightItUpBlue frame to your Facebook profile photo

Add a #LightItUpBlue frame to your Twitter profile photo”

Source: https://www.autismspeaks.ca/get-involved/participate/world-autism-month/

Categories: Activities