World Autism Awareness Day began at the United Nations General Assembly where world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which pledged that no one would be left behind.

On June 20, 2012, the Canadian parliament passed Bill Bill S-206 World Autism Awareness Day Act An Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day and it received Royal Assent and is now law.

Since then each year we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, to break down the barriers faced by people with autism and celebrate neurodiversity.

World Autism Awareness Day 2020 #celebratethespectrum

"On World Autism Awareness Day, we speak out against discrimination, celebrate the diversity of our global community and strengthen our commitment to the full inclusion and participation of people with autism. Supporting them to achieve their full potential is a vital part of our efforts to uphold the core promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to leave no one behind."

Secretary-General António Guterres