UN: April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day

Every year on April 2, the United Nations celebrates World Autism Awareness Day with the sole motive to spread awareness among the people about autism. Raising awareness will help people understand and accept those who are suffering from autism, support them, and spread kindness.

Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is a developmental disability that causes several challenges for an individual including social, communication and behavioural difficulties. Though various organizations all over the world contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of ASD, it is important for people to know about this disorder.

What is Autism? Autism is a neurological condition that lasts life long and can manifest during early childhood. According to the United Nations, autism is characterized by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information.

In India, according to the 2011 census, there are 78,62,921 children with disabilities below the 19 year age group, out of which 5,95,089 have an intellectual disability. The study also revealed that one in 66 children was autistic in India.

Symptoms of Autism One can notice the symptoms of the disorder from childhood that is from the age of two to three years. However, until many children grow up, this disorder is not recognised. The symptoms include the inability to perform daily tasks, trouble in building relationships, paranoid and limited and repetitive abnormal behaviour.

World Autism Awareness Day 2021: Theme Since 2012, every year the UN has given a theme for the celebration of the World...