What is Autism Awareness Month?

Every April, Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Butterfly Effects is fully committed to creating a world where all people affected by autism can reach their full potential. The goal for April is to further increase awareness about autism signs, symptoms, and opportunities through information and referrals, events, resources, and community partnerships.

Did you know?

• In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to 2018 data. (1 in 27 boys; 1 in 116 girls)
• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
• Most children are still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.
• Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
• Minority groups tend to be diagnosed later and less often.
• Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan.
• There is no medical detection for autism.

How can I participate?

Everyone is encouraged to participate! Whether you have autism, love someone who does, or are looking to support a diverse and accepting community, you’re invited to join.

Ways to get involved:

• Follow autism organizations via social media (including us!).
• Raise awareness of autism (Share your story, Light It Up Blue).
• Participate in local autism events.
• Donate or fundraise with reputable autism charities.

What is Light It Up Blue?

The Light It Up Blue initiative was created by Autism Speaks in 2010. Since that time, joined by the international autism community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world light blue on World Autism Awareness Day (April 2) in recognition of people with autism. You can purchase Autism Speaks blue light bulbs, by searching “Autism Speaks Lights.”

Local autism events:

Arizona

• April 2 – The Autism of Southern Arizona https://www.as-az.org/ is hosting the All in for Autism Drive-In Movie Event. The AZ team will attend a drive-in movie event under the stars.

California

• April 2 – San Diego team will attend the 18th annual Autism Superhero 5k in Balboa Park, NFAR/ Race for Autism. Hosted by https://www.nfar.org/
• May 7 – Heroes for Autism Costume Walk & Family Resource Fair, Santa Cruz

Florida

• April 4 – FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) will host an Art & Autism Expo which will showcase artists diagnosed with autism
• April 16 – Autism Society of Greater Orlando http://asgo.org/ will host the Autism Walk & Family Fun Day

Louisiana

• April 27 – Active for Autism 5k / Baton Rouge

Massachusetts

• April 3 – The MA team will attend the Sensory-Friendly Thunderbird Hockey Game

North Carolina

• The Autism Society of North Carolina will host:
• April 23 – The Coastal NC Run/Walk for Autism, Wilmington
• April 23 – The Surry County Walk for Autism, Mount Airy
• April 30 – Eastern Run/Walk for Autism, Greenville

Texas

• April 12 – 18th Annual Walk for Autism at Texas A&M University, San Antonio

Virgina

• April 30 – The Virginia team will participate in Superhero 5k/Walk for Autism, hosted by The Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia 

National/Virtual

• See the World a Different Way / Virtual Event
• We Run the Spectrum / American Autism Association