The Autism Society Invites You to #CelebrateDifferences during April’s Autism Acceptance Month
This April, the Autism Society works to #CelebrateDifferences for Autism Acceptance Month, recognizing the array of experiences within the Autism community and emphasizing the need for equitable access to support, services and resources.
This April, the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin is inviting its partners, supporters, and its local community to be the connection this Autism Acceptance Month. Autism Acceptance Month kicks off on April 1, and the Autism Society is recognizing the multitude of experiences within the Autism community to highlight the critical need for acceptance, inclusion, and connections to support Autistic people across the lifespan.
Autism diagnoses are growing, both for children and adults. Last December, the CDC announced that one in 44 children are diagnosed with Autism. Over 7 million people in the United States are on the Autism spectrum. Furthermore, Autism affects people from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic standings. The increased Autism prevalence rate highlight the urgent need for equitable access to diagnostic evaluations, service, and family supports that have a significant impact on lifelong outcomes.
No family or individual’s story is the same as any other, and the Autism Society believes it is important to recognize the diversity of Autistic individuals in our local communities and their individual experiences. Read about individual stories on social media through the #CelebrateDifferences hashtag. Recognizing how connected we all are in our differences, strengths, and challenges can be what unites us instead of divides us.
“Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity to advocate and practice acceptance for the Autism community through inclusion, support and connection.” said Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “ No matter who you are, where you live, you should be able to have the connection to supports, services, community and resources needed to live fully.”
The Autism Society aims to serve the entire Autism community and their loved ones with connections to the support they need, when they need it. Acceptance and inclusion are critical to ensuring everyone in the Autism community can access what they need to live to their fullest extent possible. This is vital to improving opportunities in inclusive education, employment, housing, health care, and long-term services and supports for individuals with Autism, no matter where they are in life’s journey.
“In 2021 the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin and our local chapter network served over 2,850 individuals in the Autism community and hosted over 65 events through a blend of virtual and in person events,” said Kirsten Cooper, executive director of the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, “We’re grateful to our local communities for supporting our work to foster Autism acceptance and connect the Autism community to the resources they need, when they need it.”
If you’re interested in learning how you can get involved with the Autism Society or help spread Autism Acceptance this April, please visit our April as Autism Acceptance Month webpage here.
