Autistic Pride Day is an annual pride festival for autistic persons held on June 18th. It is a day dedicated to honoring neurodiversity and increasing autism awareness. Autistic pride recognizes the significance of pride for autistic persons and its role in effecting positive social change. The purpose of the event is to promote acceptance, tolerance, and admiration of those on the autism spectrum by emphasizing their unique abilities and viewpoints.
In 2005, the advocacy organization Aspies For Freedom suggested the inaugural Autistic Pride Day. Although Autistic Pride Day is on June 18, pride activities are typically scheduled on that weekend for practical reasons, but can be held at any time of year. The name “Aspies” refers to people who have Asperger’s syndrome, which was previously classified as a separate diagnosis before being merged into the broader category of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the DSM-5 in 2013.
Origins
Aspies For Freedom (AFF) established Autistic Pride Day in 2005 since it was the birthday of the group’s youngest member at the time. AFF fashioned the festival after the homosexual pride movement.
“The most important thing to note about the day is that it is an autistic community event: it originated from and is still led by autistic people ourselves,” says Kabie Brook, co-founder of Autism Rights Group Highland (ARGH), i.e. it is not a day for other charities or organizations to promote themselves or stifle autistic people.
The rainbow infinity sign is used to represent “diversity with infinite variations and infinite possibilities” on this day. On the first Autistic Pride Day, New Scientist magazine published an article titled “Autistic and proud” that explained the concept.
Autistic Pride Day is observed by organizations around the world with events to connect with one another through autistic events and to demonstrate to allistic people (those not on the autism spectrum) that autistic people are unique individuals who should not be viewed as cases for treatment.
Autism advocacy and support groups around the world observe the day with a variety of activities and events. These gatherings frequently feature seminars, workshops, art exhibitions, instructional sessions, and social gatherings aimed at fostering a sense of community and inclusivity for people with autism and their families.
Autistic Pride Day has increased in importance over the years, assisting in the fight against autism stigma and misinformation. The day strives to promote a more inclusive society that supports and accommodates the needs of all its members, regardless of their neurodevelopmental differences, by honoring the diversity and unique talents of persons on the autism spectrum.
