With the aim to raise awareness among people about Autism Spectrum Disorder, June 18 every year is celebrated as Autistic Pride Day.

Awareness is needed so that people do not see autistic people as disadvantaged but simply as unique individuals.

Autistic Pride Day is observed to respect the rights of persons suffering from autism as it is often observed that the human rights of autistic people are often violated.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard for everyone and there have also been reports that the pandemic has been harsher for autistic people in several parts across the globe.

Autistic people are often stigmatised and discriminated and Autistic Pride Day Autistic Awareness Day is marked to stop such discrimination and eradicate the stigmas.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in 160 children has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

WHO encourages families to have an environment, which supports children with autism. Treating them as equals and engaging them in routine activities like cooking, shopping and cleaning goes a long way in giving children with autism a happy life, says the top health body.

History Of Autistic Pride Day

Autistic Pride Day was first celebrated by Aspies for Freedom in 2005.

"One of the key aspects of the day is that autistic people participate in the events on the day and families share their great success stories," writes NDTV.

It is largely a community event with all stakeholders and friends joining the celebrations.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns and the COVID-19 protocols in place, the day will be celebrated predominantly online.

Autistic people are not different from us and we should not look down on them, but we should encourage them and make them feel better and wanted by society as a whole.

Let's pledge to encourage autistic persons from now on.

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