Autism Sunday is a day where those with autism, their families and those who support them come together to recognize the challenges that face those on the autism spectrum each and every day. This year, Autism Sunday falls on February 12, 2023, and it’s a great opportunity to create awareness of autism and encourage understanding from the public. In this blog post, we will explore how to best commemorate Autism Sunday and get involved in furthering the cause. We will look at what it means to be autistic, ways to show your support for those living with autism and how you can work together to create an inclusive society for all.
Autism Sunday 2023: History
Autism is a developmental disorder that typically manifests within a child’s first three years of life. It affects millions of people worldwide and frequently results in social stigmatisation of patients, parents, and carers.
Autism dates back to the 1700s, with Hugh Blair of Borgue in 1747 and the Wild Boy of Aveyron in 1798 being the first well-documented cases. In 1910, Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the term autism while defining schizophrenia’s symptoms. In a 1943 report describing 11 children with striking behavioural similarities, Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital was the first to use modern terminology to describe early infantile autism.
Autism was not distinguished from other mental and developmental disorders such as Asperger syndrome and childhood schizophrenia prior to the 1980s. In 1980, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) distinguished between autism and childhood schizophrenia. In 1987, the D.S.M.-III-R provided a diagnostic checklist for autism. In May 2013, the DSM-5 was published, grouping disorders such as P.DD.-NOS, autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, and CDD under the umbrella term Autism Spectrum Disorders, with impaired social communication and restricted repetitive behaviours as the two categories.
Ivan and Charika Corea conceived of the concept of Autism Sunday. Charin, their child, has autism spectrum disorder and a speech impairment. They are also the founders of the Autism Awareness Campaign in the United Kingdom and have urged religious leaders and world leaders to advocate for those with autism spectrum disorders. The first service for autism was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London in February 2002, and the second Sunday of February has been observed annually since then.
How to Get Involved in Autism Sunday
Autism Sunday is held on the first Sunday of February every year. It is a day when churches all over the world pray for people with autism and their families. This year, Autism Sunday falls on February 3rd.
If you would like to get involved in Autism Sunday, there are a few things you can do:
1. Pray: Take some time on Autism Sunday to pray for people with autism and their families. You can find a list of specific prayer points here.
2. Give: If you are able, consider making a donation to an organization that supports people with autism and their families. A few organizations you could donate to include Autism Speaks, the National Autistic Society, and Autism Society of America.
3. Learn: Spend some time learning about autism. This could include reading books or articles about autism, watching documentaries, or talking to people with autism or their families. The more we understand about autism, the better we can support those who live with it every day.
4. Advocate: Use your voice to advocate for people with autism and their families. This could involve speaking up against discrimination, raising awareness about the needs of people with autism, or supporting legislative initiatives that benefit autistic people and their families.
Conclusion
Autism Sunday is an important day of recognition and understanding for those living with autism, their families, and communities. We hope that this article has provided you with some useful information on Autism Sunday and the initiatives taking place on February 12th, 2023. Together we can work to spread awareness about autism spectrum disorder in order to create a more inclusive world for everyone. Remember: Every single one of us matters!
AUTISM SUNDAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | February 13 | Sunday |
| 2023 | February 12 | Sunday |
| 2024 | February 11 | Sunday |
| 2025 | February 9 | Sunday |
| 2026 | February 8 | Sunday |
