The Autistic Pride Day is observed annually on 18th June. The most important fact about this event is that it is established by the Autistic people themselves. It is a “community event and not a day for other organisations to promote themselves by stifling autistic people.” says autism activists. The purpose of this day is to shed some light over the detrimental behaviour towards autistic people, often leading to human rights violation. It aims to normalise autism and show the world that autism is not some defect that needs a cure and every autistic person has a right to lead a normal life.
There is a need to shift society’s attitude towards acceptance and the realisation that autism is a “difference rather than a disability.”
The Autistic Pride Day was first observed on 18th June 2005 in Brazil. The 1st ever theme of the Autistic Pride Day was ‘Acceptance Not Cure’. This initiative was taken up by the Aspies For Freedom (AFF), an organisation that is at the forefront of campaigning and activism for the rights of autistic people. AFF was created in 2004, by Gareth and Amy Nelson to highlight the fact that Autism is not always a disability and autistic people are unique individuals, who do not require treatment.
The resolution “Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)” in May 2014 was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2014, to mobilise Nations to make collaborative efforts, along with WHO (World Health Organisation) to strengthen the awareness around ASD and the whole narrative of developmental disorders.
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