Autistic Pride Day June 18th
By: Kaylee Powell
June 18th, 2024 will mark the 19th annual Autistic Pride Day, a day meant to celebrate and support those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This event began in 2005 when the organization Aspies for Freedom decided they wanted to uplift those with ASD and show the general public that being diagnosed wasn’t a negative thing. Autistic Pride Day is now celebrated worldwide with this year's theme being “Take the Mask off.”
Understanding Autism
According to the CDC Autism is defined as “a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.” Approximately 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism and boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. Autism is a spectrum and can manifest in many different ways for many different individuals.
The Goal of Autistic Pride Day
Many believe that autism is a debilitating disability, and while living with ASD may come with its challenges, it's still possible for those on the spectrum to live fruitful and successful lives. That is the main goal of Autistic Pride Day, to show off the lives individuals with ASD can live. This day uplifts the community by focusing on the perspectives its members bring, empowering everyone within the community, and putting to rest some of the stigmatizations surrounding autism.
Displaying Different Perspectives: A key purpose of Autistic Pride Day is to highlight all the unique voices and perspectives within the community. Due to how people with ASD see the world, they can become exceptional at art, math, music, and so much more. This day highlights all the talents they have to show that autism can bring a new viewpoint to the world.
Empowering the Community: Autistic Pride Day is about listening to those with ASD speak on their issues and accomplishments as well as advocate for themselves. This day is another platform for people with ASD to be heard loud and clear to build stronger communities, regulations, and opportunities for themselves.
Destigmatizing the Community: Another crucial aspect of Autistic Pride Day is the destigmatization of ASD. Stigmas and stereotypes surrounding ASD make it more difficult for people with ASD to get a good education, career, or social life. Breaking those stereotypes creates a more inclusive environment for people with ASD.
Ways to Get Involved
For Autism Pride Day there are many ways to get involved online or in person. This can include
Attending Events: For those located in New York City, from 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm, Autistic Adults NYC will be hosting a sensory-friendly celebration open to the public. This event is free but will accept donations to host the event. https://www.autisticadultsnyc.org/autisticprideday2024
Participating in Online Events: If you cannot find an in-person event to attend, don’t worry there are many online events and panels you can join from the comfort of your home, many of which are easily accessible through a Google search.
Post on Social Media: Now that there are so many people online, a great way to show support and uplift the autism community around you is by posting about Autistic Pride Day on your social media platforms.
Show Physical Support: You can also show support by just wearing the Autistic Pride pin, a simple but effective way to show your pride.
Autistic Pride Day is a day meant to celebrate, uplift, and listen to individuals with Autism. There are many ways to become involved in Autistic Pride Day and many ways to learn so much more. By joining in on Autistic Pride Day events we can help create a world that is more inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent people.
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