You may have heard the terms awareness and acceptance used interchangeably, especially in conversations about autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, there is a fundamental difference between these two objectives.

History of autism awareness

ASD as a condition was first researched and described in the early 1940s. Between the 1940s and 1980s, before widespread ASD awareness campaigns, the prevalence of childhood ASD was thought to be between four and 20 in every 10,000 children. Presently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies ASD at a rate of around one in every 31 children.

Early misconceptions about the rarity of ASD led to initial awareness campaign messaging centered around parents gaining resources and services for their children. Individuals with ASD often lacked representation in ASD awareness campaigns, and ASD was perceived as a problem to be solved.

In the modern day, campaigns similar in nature aim to boost awareness and gain funding for other under-researched or poorly understood conditions. Since ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and cannot be cured, the original format of ASD awareness campaigns associated are largely outdated.

Shift toward autism acceptance

Today, many more ASD self-advocates share their stories and insights to help educate neurotypical individuals on the ASD experience. The ASD community is much more widespread than initial researchers thought, so it is essential to uplift a diverse representation of voices to showcase a holistic view of ASD.

While awareness is the first step towards acceptance, true acceptance is shown through a series of actions. It goes beyond familiarity or knowledge of symptoms of ASD and instead involves taking a step back and adjusting in social situations to support individuals with ASD.

What helps individuals with ASD most is being understood, accommodated and respected – meaning, accepting individuals with ASD for their differences and without trying to change who they are.

Ways you can support individuals with autism

  • Offer a helping hand. Ask an individual with ASD how you can help in an overstimulating situation and listen to what they need.
  • Support ASD -friendly accommodations. This may include quiet areas in public places, workplace environments or businesses.
  • Support businesses that hire individuals with ASD. Studies vary but estimate that between 50-85% of adults with ASD are underemployed or unemployed, often due to a lack of understanding from employers combined with stereotypes and stigmas about ASD.
  • Open your mind to different ways of connecting and communicating. Understand that ASD is uniquely characterized by deficits in social communication, meaning someone may experience difficulties with typical social pleasantries.
  • Exercise patience and encourage self-advocacy. Many individuals with ASD struggle with expressing how they are feeling in a way that can be digested by a neurotypical person. Be patient, avoid frustrating them and provide a supportive environment for them to express how they are feeling or what they need.

On a more removed level, you can also:

  • Share current ASD research on social media and correct others on stereotypes
  • Volunteer your time to help ASD organizations with their events or government affairs initiatives
  • Wear ASD acceptance symbols such as the rainbow infinity symbol

Autism awareness and acceptance observances

April is Autism Acceptance Month, formerly known as Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Society, led by parents and advocates, first designated April as Autism Awareness Month in 1970, and in 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation declaring April as National Autism Awareness Month.

Additionally, the United Nations established the second day of April each year as World Autism Awareness Day, which began in 2008. According to the UN, the observance strives to “highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with ASD so they can lead full and meaningful lives as integral parts of society.” So, rather than promoting awareness of ASD as a condition, the UN’s observance intends to raise awareness of the need for society to help and change its perspective on autistic individuals.

As of 2012, each World Autism Awareness Day has a specific theme and focus, with 2025 focusing on “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.” You can re-watch the UN’s World Autism Awareness Day webinars here for more in-depth information about the theme.

As this year’s Autism Acceptance Month comes to a close, consider the ASD individuals in your life and the tactics you can implement to foster acceptance and improve your understanding of their condition.