Autism rights movement

World Autism Awareness Day, recognized annually on April 2, saw historic and iconic buildings in Istanbul and across the country illuminated with red or blue lights, symbolizing solidarity with individuals with autism, to raise awareness about the disorder and shed light on its unique challenges.

New research challenges the misconception that autistic individuals avoid forming meaningful social bonds, highlighting that they experience loneliness more intensely than the general population.

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.

Autistic youth in Turkey have pressing problems, but authorities never manage to find the time to solve them, according to one of the founders of the Istanbul Association of Autistic Volunteers.

People with autism who cannot leave their homes due to the COVID-19 outbreak are displaying their skills at the İZOT Home Autism Festival organized by the İzmir Autism Orchestra and Choir on social media.
Having given concerts in 180 cities in different countries since 2013, İZOT's concert programs, which were planned to start in March, had been canceled.

Historical buildings, bridges, and towers in Turkey will be lit in blue today to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

The July 15 Martyrs' Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge as well as the Galata Tower in Istanbul will be illuminated as a part of the "Light It Up Blue" for the World Autism Awareness Day campaign.

The principal of a school which recently has made the headlines after a group of parents were recorded on video booing at autistic children has been temporarily dismissed from duty, Education Minister Ziya Selçuk announced on Nov. 8.

They include the dome of the National Assembly, the Ada Bridge, and the Palace Albania building.

The new fountain in Slavija Square will also light up blue, said Mayor Sinisa Mali.

Bulgaria's capital Sofia and other citis will mark the World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, with key buildings lighting up to show support for a worldwide information campaign.

Separately, between 11:00 and 15:00 local time in Sofia, a kids' fair is opened featuring workshops at the Sofia Zoo, with any children attending being allowed to draw the animals.