APRIL 2 is World Autism Awareness Day – Take Action

 The 6th Annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2013.

 

Autism Speaks would like to thank the Empire State Building for the special lighting last year on the evening of April 2 in celebration of the fifth annual United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd.

Learn more about the Empire State Building at www.esbnyc.com. The Empire State Building design is a trademark of ESBC and is used with permission.

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States.

This UN resolution declares WAAD as one of only four official health-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world’s attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions.

The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.

World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention.

Alpha Christian Academy in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands is going BLUE!! You can get these coloring sheets here:http://bit.ly/YzHNZ0

Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe.

By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to inspire compassion, empowerment and hope.

UN World Autism Awareness Day Resolution (.pdf format):

Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish

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Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

How will you celebrate?

To share your events, please “Like” the World Autism Awareness Day page on Facebook and submit your events by posting the information on the wall.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY HERE