1. United Nations
https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/62/139
2. Institute of Neurodiversity
3. Autism Speaks https://www.autismspeaks.org/
4. The Arc of the United States
5. The ARC of Tucson https://arcoftucson.org/
6. Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
7. Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education
8. Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee https://iacc.hhs.gov/
9. Association for Autism and Neurodiversity https://aane.org/
10. Autism National Committee
Seal of Approval
The ARC of the United States is a Washington D.C. based organization that was started in the 1950s that stands apart from other autism organizations. In 2019, Consumer Reports rated the ARC of the United Stated one of the top organizations under the mental health and disabilities category. The ARC of the United States was originally called the National Association for Retarded Children (NARC). Then changed to National Association for Retarded Citizens. In 1992 the National Association for Retarded Citizens assumed its present name the ARC doing away with the pejorative use of the word retarded.
The ARC of the United States has over 500 chapters in every state except Maine. The ARC of the United States gets a thumbs up; way up 👍
We are in a post-autism awareness world. We are achieving awareness. We need to move to the next step though.We need to move from simple awareness to autism inclusion. Awareness without inclusion is nothing. April 2 was Autism Awareness Day. A new day needs to be created for autism inclusion.
Therefore, let it be known that April 3rd, 2026, is the first Autism Inclusion Day, and every year therafter on April 3 will be Autism Inclusion Day
On autism Inclusion Day, we think about not awareness only, but who among the autism community can we include in activities with us. Could we invite a person with autism to a gathering or party? Could we invite a person with autism to a movie? What activities might we include a person with autism in?
Yet autism inclusion need not to be confined only to April 3rd. Let April 3rd be the start of autism inclusion and not just for one day to practice autism inclusion, but every day.
Every year, autism awareness month comes around, but have you stopped to think that for people with autism, every day is autism awareness day?
Autism is not a single condition but a collection of conditions. That is why autism is called a spectrum condition.
Despite this, many neurotypicals are not autism-friendly, and this includes many who are autism advocates. These so-called advocates either do not understand or do not care about the emotional makeup of those on the spectrum.
I have personally experienced this. A facilitator for an autism parent group was belligerent towards me and gossiped about me to her members. This behavior is just unacceptable for someone in the autism advocacy arena.
These people need to be educated about the emotional makeup of many of those on the spectrum. These people need a little autism awareness.
Autism Awareness for Advocates
What are some ways advocates could be more aware of autism?
Being aware of the emotional makeup of various people on the autism spectrum.
Not being belligerent to a person on the spectrum.
Being more aware of the characteristics of autism, provided the person on the spectrum is not being intentionally rude.
Educating the person on the spectrum in the spirit of kindness.
Never bully someone on the spectrum (or anyone else, for that matter).
How can an autism advocate create awareness to others when he or she needs to be first educated about autism awareness?
Autism Awareness Day 2026
April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day. Every life, including those with autism, has value. This day's observance, per the UN, is titled Autism and Humanity-Every Life Has Value. Resolution UN Res/62/139 was adopted on December 18, 2007, and started on April 2, 2008, to be designated as Autism Awareness Day.
Autism and Human Rights
In line with this year’s UN theme, it might be in order to discuss the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
The first article sets the tone for the rest of the Declaration. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in the spirit of brotherhood." Some people tend to shout about their rights while at the same time forgetting about the rights of others.
I am a firm believer in human rights, and I believe all human rights matter, provided that the right being espoused is not aimed at the denigration of the rights of another person or population.
Past UN Celebrations
The UN has worked hard to create awareness for autism events. The past five events have focused on:
Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2025).
Moving from Thriving to Surviving: Autistic Individuals Share Regional Perspectives (2024).
Transformation: Toward a Neuro-inclusive World for All (2023).
Inclusive-Quality Education for All (2022).
Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-pandemic World (2021).
Assistive Technologies, Active Participation (2019).
The UN has been a wonderful advocate in creating autism awareness
Ways Neurotypicals Can
Create Autism Awareness
Set up a booth at any of the Autism Society's annual autism events and invite others to participate with you.
Invite others to join you at the UN autism streaming event.
Have a gathering on or near Autism Awareness Day and invite those on the autism spectrum.
Give a speech at an autism organization.
Create an autism website or blog
Start an autism awareness charity
Write an essay, article, or book
Join the board of an autism charity
Start a business that caters to the autism community.
Become an autism-life coach
Start a public access TV or radio program aimed at an autism community audience.
Start a social media site that creates autism awareness.
Use bumper stickers that create autism awareness.
Include a person with autism in an activity.
In conclusion, what can you do to promote autism awareness on Autism Awareness Day? Do any of the suggestions give any ideas? Do you have any of your own ideas? Do not forget autism rights are human rights, and promote autism awareness, not only on April 2nd, but throughout April, or try something better: promote it day after day after day throughout the year.
This week the support group will be Saturday 4 April 2026 at 1:00 pm. This week we will be meeting at the Eegees located at 243 E Speedway Blvd. The closest street is 5th ave. This week will be an open forum. We now have a Google Meet link for those that have an issue leaving their home. It will be up at this meeting. Please see this message's footer for the link. The Inaugral issue of the newsletter will be released the second Saturday of every month. Tomorrow is also Autism Awareness Day. Enjoy!
