World Autism Awareness Day 2022 Theme, History, Significance

World Autism Awareness Day is observed annually on April 2 by the member states of the United Nations to raise awareness among its citizens about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder throughout the world.

The United Nations General Assembly designated a resolution (A/RES/62/139). The council passed ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ on November 1, 2007 and adopted in December 18, 2007. The purpose was to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of autistic people.

‘World Autism Awareness Day’ was proposed by Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the UN representative from Qatar and consort to Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The United Nations narrates Autism as a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socioeconomic status.  Autism Spectrum means a range of characteristics. Lack of understanding has a tremendous impact on individuals, their families and communities.  Stigmatization and discrimination associated with neurological differences remain substantial obstacles to diagnosis and therapies, an issue that must be addressed by both public policy-makers in developing nations and donor countries.

World Autism Awareness Day 2022 Theme: “Inclusive Quality Education for All”

The theme for ‘World Autism Awareness Day 2022’ is Inclusive Quality Education for All. Access to education that was made easy for years, especially for autistic persons was disrupted after 2020 with the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. That has managed to reverse years of progress and has exacerbated inequalities in education, says UN.

This year, the observance will address inclusive education in the context of ADG 4-the promise of reality-through a virtual event. There will be moderate panel discussion and brief presentations by self-advocates, educators and experts. To vision is to LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

World Autism Awareness Day is organized by the UN Department of Global Communications and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with the support of civil society partners including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the Global Autism Project and the Specialisterne Foundation.