Celebrating World Autism Understanding Day
World Autism Understanding Day aims to create understanding, acceptance and celebrate individuals on the Autism Spectrum. World Autism Understanding Day will be held on Sunday 2 April.
This year's World Autism Understanding Day has adopted the theme "Transformation: Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All” as embraced by the United Nations.
What is Autism?
Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. It is a lifelong disability that starts when a person is born and stays with them into old age. Every Autistic person is different to every other. This is why autism is described as a ‘spectrum’.
Did you know?
- 85% of autistic adults prefer identity-first language (putting a person's disability identity before the person – for example, ‘autistic person' because they see their disability as a key part of their identity)
- 1 in 70 Australians are autistic
- 98% of Australians have heard of autism
- 29% believe they know how to support autistic people
- But only 4% of autistic people agree
- The unemployment rate for autistic people is 31% - almost 6 times greater than people without a disability and three times more than people with other disabilities.
What are the myths and misunderstanding about Autism?
There is a common myth and misunderstanding that the Autism Spectrum is linear. To define autism is complex and the fact is that Autistic people have a wide range of unique characteristics in their strengths, communications, social interactions, work, and leisure.
Autistic people use a variety of different terms to describe themselves. An individual may prefer to use person first language (person with autism) or Identity-first language (Autistic person). The language we use should always respect the individual’s preference.
Sunflower Lanyard Program
Living with a non-visible disability can make life difficult for many people. For others, it can be hard to recognise that those people need extra help or understanding. That’s where the Sunflower program comes in. Wearing a Sunflower lanyard indicates to others that the wearer has a hidden disability and may need additional help or maybe just more time and space. We invite residents who have a hidden disability to collect a lanyard from Council's Corporate Centre at 67 Royal Avenue, Sandringham or Bayside libraries and provide feedback.
Remember
No two Autistic people are alike.
If you’ve met one Autistic person, you’ve met one Autistic person.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more, visit Aspect's website.
Library book list for World Autism Understanding Day
The amazing Bayside Library Services team has put together a book list to support World Autism Understanding Day, featuring a wide range of titles that provide valuable perspectives and insights into autism.
Autism Understanding Day book list
Author talk - Late Bloomer: How an Autism Diagnosis Changed My Life with Clem Bastow
Come along to Brighton Library this World Autism Understanding Day to hear Clem Bastow in conversation with Claire Halliday.
Book Author Talk with Clem Bastow
