Past Displays - Books: Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and destigmatizes the perspectives of those living with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), highlights the issues regarding healthcare and treatment of those with ASD, and educates the public on how to support the ASD community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 36 children in the United States had been identified as having ASD as of April 2023, making the education of people about ASD all the more important. 

The National Autism Society first designated Autism Awareness Month as April in the 1970s, with the intent to bring awareness of ASD to the general public. In 2011, the Autism Self-Advocacy Network started referring to the month as Autism Acceptance Month rather than "Awareness" in an attempt to shift away from considering autism as an illness with limitations, and rather highlighting how important understanding, inclusion, and celebration of individuals with ASD is for the community.