Table of Contents
April 2 is commemorated as World Autism Awareness Day 2024. Did you know that CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics revealed that ASD or autism spectrum disorder is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than it is in girls? This is because girls “ go undiagnosed often because they don’t fit autism stereotypes and they can mask symptoms better than boys do,” as per the Child Mind Institute. There is no better way to observe this day than by becoming aware of the characteristics of people diagnosed with this condition and what all of us can do better to increase our own understanding and promote kindness towards them.
Attempt free GK Mock Test! Download Entri App!
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: Theme
The theme for World Autism Awareness Day in 2024 is “Empowering Autistic Voices.” This theme aims to highlight the importance of amplifying the voices of individuals on the autism spectrum and empowering them to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings with the world. By promoting greater understanding and acceptance of autism, the theme aims to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all individuals with autism. This year’s World Autism Awareness Day focuses on fostering a culture of respect and understanding towards autistic individuals, and encouraging them to participate fully and actively in all aspects of life.
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: History
1: Who was the first woman President of India?
ASP is a developmental disorder characterized by behavioral and communicational affections that impact a person’s ability to navigate social interactions and also results in repetitive and restricted behavior.
The first historical occurrence of the word “Autism” was made in by the psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, who used the term to describe a special cluster of symptoms that were considered simple symptoms of schizophrenia as an intense social withdrawal.
In that order, it was in 1943, “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact”, an article by pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner characterized Autism as a social and emotional disorder in 1944. Hans Asperger released his “Autism Psychopathology Article” where he explained autism to be a disorder of normal intelligence children who have trouble with social and communication skills. These articles were an important contribution to the studies that helped to classify Autism as a disorder different from schizophrenia in 1980.
With the continuous study and research on autism, World Autism Awareness Day was fixed to April 2 of each year by the “United Nations General Assembly” on “Resolution 62/139” and adopted on 18 December 2007, to encourage member states to take action in spreading awareness about people with autism spectrum disorder and support the research finding new ways to amend wellness and inclusion.
Finally, the impression of autism as a spectrum was developed in 2013 by the “American Psychiatric Association” in the 5th edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” by integrating all subcategories of autism and related conditions into one single category, including varied characteristics, intensity, and presentation of the symptoms.
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: Timeline
1970’s – Pharmaceutical Treatments
Treatments included risperidone and secretin injection to act on dopamine receptors.
1995 – Studies on the Asperger Syndrome
As a result of her 30-year research, Sula Wolff publishes that children with Asperger syndrome represent the most delicate and most able end of the autism spectrum because they become self-reliant as adults and display exceptional gifts.
2007 – World Autism Awareness Day
Founded by the United Nations General Assembly, World Autism Awareness Day celebrated on April 2 every year.
2013 – Autism is a Spectrum
The “American Psychiatric Association” develops a united category of Autism Spectrum in the “5th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders.”
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: Facts
The prevalence
- Approximately 1 in 59 children were diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum in 2018.
- Girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism than boys.
An early diagnosis can be really useful
- Autism can be recognised in kids as early as age 2.
- Early involvement affords the best opportunity to support wellness.
Autism spectrum carries related conditions
- Kids with autism disorders are most likely to suffer from gastrointestinal disorders than other kids, also more than 50 percent of children with autism have chronic sleep disorders.
An expensive disorder
- It’s approximated that the cost of caring for the services required (including the diet) for autism can be $196 billion per year for fully grown adult and $66 billion per year for kids.
It’s amazing to be different!
- Humans with autism spectrum disorders can help to make a change in the world — all they need to be successful is some treatment and support from their surroundings — just take personalities like Charles Darwin, Tim Burton, Bill Gates, and Albert Einstein as an example.
Attempt free GK Mock Test! Download Entri App!
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: Importance
There is no cure, but there are aids!
Nowadays, there are several ways to treat autism spectrum disorders, but they can only be used when the person is diagnosed! By becoming aware about this condition we can help others to get in touch with specialists and start a treatment that can increase their health.
Don’t try to change anything, just start by understanding!
People with autism spectrum disorders have certain characteristics, behaviors, tastes, and ways of doing things! The key is to study their way to see the world and their performance without trying to change them.
Adulthood with Autism disorders
There is no cure for ASD! Once you get diagnosed it’s a condition for the remaining of your life, and research shows that job activities that encourage independence can increase daily skills and reduce symptoms of autism.
How World Autism Awareness Day 2024 can be observed?
Share information online
In present days when almost everyone has access to information, there are still many that don’t know about autism and the characteristics of people with this disorder. Become an counsel for the autistic community by educating the masses.
Get involved with autism associations
There are many who either have autism or have a family member with autism and are a part of community-wide, global-wide, nation-wide, association. Get in touch with them to get involved in any activities planned for the World Autism Awareness Day.
Attempt free GK Mock Test! Download Entri App!
Take care of the people with ASD you know
World Autism Awareness Day is the perfect day to have a good time with your relatives and friends who are diagnosed with autism! Make sure to program sensory-sensitive activities for you both to enjoy and pack casein-free and gluten-free foods to share.
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: FAQs
- What is the cause of Autism?
Scientists discovered recently that many genetic mutations can be linked with autism, the results show that there are more than 100 genes which have autism risk. But also most of the cases have environmental factors and a complex combination of genetic.
- How to detect a child with autism?
Autism cannot be usually diagnosed until the age of 2 years and only a specialist (psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist) can diagnose it, but there are some things you look for, like lack of sharing smiles, sound and facial expressions by 9 months or forming words by 1.5 years.
- What to do if you diagnose Autism in a child?
It can be a battle in the first months to accept the condition but the best way to cope with this diagnosis is to educate yourself and search for the help of a specialist as there are a lot of resources and treatments that can help you.
World Autism Awareness Day 2024: Quiz
- World Autism Awareness Day is observed on _______.
a) April 1
b) April 2
c) April 3
d) April 4
- The historical appearance of the word autism is made in which year ?
a) 1711
b) 1811
c) 1911
d) 2011
- The world Autism Awareness Day was created in the year _______.
a) 2008
b) 2006
c) 2010
d) 2007
- Which organisation introduced World Autism Awareness Day ?
a) UN
b) WWF
c) ISRO
d) ICRC
- Which of the following personalities has Autism ?
a) Charles Darwin
b) Bill Gates
c) Albert Einstein
d) All of the above
