World Autism Awareness Week, another annual event like International Day of Happiness that has been adopted by the United Nations, aims to bring attention to this global health crisis.

The National Autistic Society encourages people to take part in World Autism Awareness Week
The National Autistic Society encourages people to take part in World Autism Awareness Week

While Autism Awareness Day has been marked for many years, the resolution that was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007 meant that the week in the lead up to the day is also considered a time to spread awareness about the disability.

In 2018, the National Autistic Society has also released a video as part of the Too Much Information campaign called Diverted, that portrays the struggle an autistic person endures when travelling on public transport.

In addition to many autism-friendly events taking place, iconic landmarks and buildings around the world will be lit up in blue light, but when is World Autism Awareness Week 2018?

What is autism?

According to the NHS, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a name that covers a range of similar disorders that affect a person’s interaction, communication and behaviour. Asperger syndrome is included in this range.

Symptoms start to be presented before the age of three, even though diagnosis can be made after this time. An estimated 1 in 100 people in the UK has ASD and while there is no cure, support can be provided in the form of speech and language therapy and educational support.

Those with ASD may also experience cognitive, learning, emotional and behavioural problems and could have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or depression. 70 percent of children with ASD have a non-verbal IQ below 70, but of this percentage, half have below 50.

While the cause of ASD is unknown, people in the past believed that the MMR vaccine was to blame and this was extensively researched around the world, but no evidence of a link was found.

As revealed by the CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with autism have trouble with social, emotional and communication skills and these signs usually develop in early childhood, but last throughout a person’s life. Signs of autism include:

• Reactions to smell, taste, look, feel or sound are unusual
• Difficulty adapting to changes in routine
• Unable to repeat or echo what is said to them
• Difficulty expressing desires using words or motions
• Unable to discuss their own feelings or other people’s
• Difficulty with acts of affection like hugging
• Prefer to be alone and avoid eye contact
• Difficulty relating to other people
• Unable to point at objects or look at objects when others point to them

What is World Autism Awareness Week?

Every year the National Autistic Society encourages the general public to take part in activities during the seven days of World Autism Awareness Week in order to raise money and awareness with campaigns like Too Much Information.

When is World Autism Awareness Week 2018?

As Autism Awareness Day is marked on April 2 every year, World Autism Awareness Week will be from March 26 to April 2 in 2018.

The National Autistic Society’s TMI campaign was launched in 2016 when the first film was created featuring 11-year-old Alex Marshall. 56 million people viewed the film on social media and it quickly went viral after one million shared it. NAS’s partnership with The Guardian led to 400,000 visits and a 26 percent rise in autism awareness.

NAS’s campaign also focused on Too Much Information in the workplace and talked to those with autism who feel as if their employers do not see their ability and just their disability. 29,000 people signed a petition to close the autism employment gap which was presented to the Minister for Disabilities, Penny Mordaunt MP in 2017.

The second TMI film told the story of school girl Holly, which again went viral with 6.2 million people having watched it.

In October 2017, the world’s biggest mass-participation quiet shopping hour, otherwise known as the Autism Hour, was held and saw 5,000 retailers do the same across the UK.

2018’s Too Much Information film tells the story of Saskia and her struggle to travel on public transport as an autistic woman and how people can support others in similar situations.

Get involved with World Autism Awareness Week

There are many ways that you can get involved and start fundraising for the National Autistic Society, which include joining a Night Walk or taking part in the new virtual challenge event, 7k for 700k.

Night Walks for Autism took place on Saturday, March 17 2018 and were held in London, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow. The entry fee was £20 per person and walkers were given a t-shirt and medal when they completed the 5k, 10k or 15k journey.

The 7k for 700k leaves it up to you to decide how far you want to walk for autism and after paying the £12 entry fee, supporters are able to fundraise as they wish.

The Daily Mail

More about: Autism