Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month is held in April to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children in the United States, including many students in LOSD. The following questions are answered to build understanding: 

What is autism? Autism is a neurological and developmental variation that affects how people with autism think, communicate, and experience the world. Jim Sinclair, an autistic self-advocate and leader in the disability justice movement, described autism as “a way of being. It is pervasive; it colors every experience, every sensation, perception, thought, emotion, encounter, and aspect of existence.”

What are neurodiversity and neurodivergence? According to autistic self-advocate Dr. Nick Walker, neurodiversity is the diversity of human minds and includes both neurotypical and neurodivergent brains. Neurodivergent people are those whose minds think, learn, and experience the world in a different, yet equally valid, way. This includes autism, ADHD, mental illness, epilepsy, and others.

What is autistic culture? Autistic culture is the shared history, patterns of movement, communication styles, creative work, shared experiences, and world perceptions of autistic individuals. Some values in autistic culture include respecting all forms of communication, rejecting the use of functioning labels, using identity-first language, respecting stimming and sensory needs, and presuming competence.

What is autism acceptance? Autism acceptance means celebrating diversity by recognizing that people with autism are different and not less, thriving as equally valid and valuable members of our community. Autism acceptance invites us to acknowledge that we all have strengths and weaknesses. Sharing mutual support and respecting each person's differences are ways to accept each other and celebrate diversity.