The United Nations World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day observed on April 2nd every year to raise awareness about autism.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to designate April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in 2007. Since then, the day has been observed annually to promote greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

On this day, various organizations, communities, and individuals around the world historically came together to increase public knowledge about autism and to promote early diagnosis and intervention. Today, our understanding of autism is growing and the voices of self advocates and those with lived experience have helped change the objectives of autism awareness to one focused on celebrating neurodiversity and inclusion. It had this become an opportunity to celebrate the unique talents and abilities of people with ASD and to advocate for their rights and inclusion in all aspects of life.

This year the UN is hosting a virtual event called Transformation: Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All on Sunday, 2 April, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST. The event will feature autistic speakers discussing how the transformation in the narrative around neurodiversity.