How You Can Spread Autism Awareness
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to others. It can make it hard for people with autism to share their feelings, understand other people's expressions, or know what they should do next in social situations.
People with autism also often have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. For example, someone with autism might be very good at math but not so good at reading emotions in people's faces. Autism is often diagnosed by age 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life. The cause of autism isn't known but research shows that both genes and environment play roles.
The best way to spread awareness about this condition is for those on the spectrum themselves as well as those who do not fall on the autism spectrum, to be honest and share their stories. It's important that you let people know that autism is different for everyone.
Why Awareness Is Important
Whether you are sharing your story, listening to other's experiences, or teach neurotypical children about Autism awareness, acceptance, and appreciation; you are doing so much to help others embrace, respect and support those on the spectrum. By improving awareness, you are helping to create a greater acceptance and empathy for individuals with autism.
Use Social Media
One of the best ways to raise awareness is to follow and share posts that speak to you about autism. For example, on Instagram some of our favorite hashtags are: #autism, #autismmom, #autismawareness and #autismacceptance. Sharing great posts that you find with your community can help spread awareness, but also may help you feel less alone during tough times. While social media can sometimes be a harsh and unkind place, it can also be a force for good. If you haven't followed us already, check out our instagram page here.
Celebrate Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on April 2 every year, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger syndrome throughout the world. There are a number of ways to celebrate, many people like to wear as a gesture of solidarity. Also, it's the perfect time to share your experience if you wish to; but it should be done in a way where you still feel safe. What you do not want to do is expose yourself to people who may be unkind or judgemental. Although if you have a story about autism, April 2nd is a good day to share it!
Wear The Symbol
One of the most effective ways to raise autism awareness is by wearing the symbol. This symbol is known as the puzzle piece and was created in 1977 by an artist named Tony Wright. It has been adopted by many organizations and it's a way of letting loved ones know that you care about autism and want them to be aware of it.
What's best is that you can take the symbol and use it to communicate your own story about autism. This symbol is designed so it can be used in several ways - one way would be to color each of the puzzle pieces differently, which represents how autism affects people differently.
In summary, we know that spreading awareness about autism is key to great acceptance and respect for individuals on the spectrum. Here at BrainChild Nutritionals we hope to be part of this important process. What are your favorite ways to spread awareness? Let us know in the comments below!