Why Autism Acceptance Month Matters
According to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, acceptance is an action. And the Autism Society of America says “While we will always work to spread awareness, words matter as we strive for autistic individuals to live fully in all areas of life. As many individuals and families affected by autism know, acceptance is often one of the biggest barriers to finding and developing a strong support system.” Awareness is acknowledging someone lives with a challenge. Acceptance is cheering them on, making space for dialogue, and working together to make real change for better inclusivity!
It’s no longer just about awareness, but about acceptance of ASD in our lives: at school, at work, in our family, with our friends, and in our communities. Autism is a spectrum with social, communication, sensory, and behavioral differences manifested uniquely in each individual. While we have come a long way in understanding autism, we still have a long way to go in recognizing the breadth and diversity of those with autism, embracing their talents and unique abilities and strengths, and addressing the day-to-day challenges they face.
One percent of the world population is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (CDC, 2021). In the United States, this number looks like one in every 44 children, a significant rise from one in every 125 children recorded in 2010. The Foundation Learning Center, our school for students with ASD, invites you to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month! Let’s listen, learn, and lend a hand to the efforts of programs that pursue acceptance of ASD in all circles of life. If you would like to support The Foundation Learning Center, you can fund one of their requested classroom items or make a donation to be used where it’s most needed in the program.
Fund an item on our Amazon Charity List
Make a Donation to The Foundation Learning Center where it will be used where it’s most needed