World Autism Awareness Day is on 2 April. It asks people to learn about autism and to support autistic people in school, work and daily life.
The date is 2 April.
How to use the World Autism Awareness Day Countdown#
- Check the date. World Autism Awareness Day is on 2 April every year.
- Choose what to count to. Stay on the next World Autism Awareness Day, or look a year further ahead.
- Plan around it. The weekday and the weeks left are listed, so you can see at once how it fits your week.
How the day began#
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day in a resolution adopted in December 2007, and it was first observed in 2008. The day is one of only a handful of official UN health awareness days. Many people and organisations now prefer to focus on understanding and acceptance, and on autistic voices leading the conversation.
Taking part well#
Listen to autistic people and organisations led by them. Schools can run lessons on sensory differences and communication. Employers can look at how they recruit and support autistic staff. Many places light buildings blue on 2 April, and some autistic groups prefer other colours, so check what the community you want to support asks for.
When is World Autism Awareness Day in the next few years?#
World Autism Awareness Day is on 2 April every year.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2 April | Friday |
| 2028 | 2 April | Sunday |
| 2029 | 2 April | Monday |
| 2030 | 2 April | Tuesday |
| 2031 | 2 April | Wednesday |
From awareness to acceptance#
The WHO estimates that about 1 in 100 children worldwide is autistic, and surveys in the United States have put the figure higher, at around 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the most recent report. Part of the rise comes from better recognition, especially in girls and in adults who were missed as children, not from a sudden change in the population.
Many autistic people say that awareness is no longer enough and that the aim should be acceptance and inclusion. That is why you will see the day called World Autism Acceptance Day in some places.
Language and colour#
Some autistic people prefer identity-first language, such as “autistic person”, while others prefer “person with autism”. The best approach is to follow the preference of the person you are speaking to. On colour, blue is the best-known, but some autistic advocates ask people to use red, gold or a rainbow infinity symbol instead, so it is worth checking what a group wants before you plan a campaign.
What helps in practice#
Small changes make a difference: quiet rooms at events, clear written instructions, advance notice of changes to plans, and flexibility about eye contact and small talk. Schools can offer visual timetables. Employers can look at interview formats, since a panel interview with unexpected questions may not show what an autistic candidate can do.
The date is a Friday in 2027. A 'sensory-friendly' hour for a shop or a library is a good practical idea for the day, if you have the means to run one.
Quick facts#
- Boys are diagnosed more often than girls, but researchers think many girls and women are missed because they hide signs by copying others, which can lead to exhaustion.
- Many autistic people have heightened or reduced sensitivity to sound, light, touch and taste, which is why a loud shop or a bright office can be tiring.
- Autism is not caused by vaccines. Large studies in many countries have found no link.
- Some autistic people speak, some use other ways to communicate, and some need support with daily life. Many have strengths in pattern recognition, memory or focus.
Frequently asked questions#
2 April.
The United Nations General Assembly, in 2007.
It gives schools, workplaces and families a fixed point to talk about autism and acceptance.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person communicates, processes sensory information and interacts with others. It is described as a spectrum because it varies widely: some autistic people need a lot of daily support and others live independently. It is not an illness, and it is usually identified in childhood, though many people are diagnosed as adults.
Ask what helps, and then do it. Give information in writing, avoid vague instructions, allow time to respond and respect the need for breaks from noise or crowds. Do not assume that quietness means disinterest. Treat them as someone with strengths and preferences, and listen to autistic voices when they explain what works for them.
No. Autism is a difference in how a person processes the world, while a learning disability affects intellectual functioning. Some autistic people also have a learning disability, and many do not. Autism can occur together with other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety or epilepsy, which is why assessment by a specialist is useful.