World Autism Awareness Day 2025: Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Apr 2

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is commemorated every year on April 2, after officially being recognized by the United Nations (UN) in 2007. Throughout the years, the significance of this day originated from the promotion of human rights and freedoms for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ensuring their equal participation in society, and uplifting their stories and lived experiences and now also includes actively promoting, embracing and understanding the diversity of individuals along the spectrum of autism and celebrating the numerous achievements from their communities worldwide. Acceptance of individuals diagnosed with autism involves challenging the stereotypes the community faces, reducing the stigma associated with autistic individuals and empowering individuals with autism to express themselves freely and without judgment.

The theme for this year’s World Autism Awareness Day 2025 is ‘Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals’. This theme highlights the connection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts and how inclusive policies and practices such as eliminating barriers for autistic peoples, promoting inclusive policies and recognizing the contributions of autistic individuals in society can create positive change for both autistic individuals worldwide as well as help achieve the goals of the the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

ASD can be defined as a complex lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that significantly influences an individual’s communication abilities, social interactions, and behaviour. The term “spectrum” in ASD highlights the vast range of symptoms and their severity levels that individuals with autism may exhibit. This condition transcends all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries, underscoring its universal impact.

According to statistics from a national report in 2018, approximately 1 in 66 children and youth in Canada are diagnosed with ASD. The key objectives from this national study were to estimate the prevalence and new cases of ASD over time, describe the population of children and youth in Canada with ASD and compare these populations with children domestically within Canada and also internationally, to increase public awareness and understanding and to inform research, policy and program decision-making for those affected with ASD.

Many people worldwide have been diagnosed with ASD, including many famous people. A few examples include actors Anthony Hopkins, Dan Akyroyd and Bella Ramsay and climate activist Greta Thunberg.

In Canada, the diagnosis of ASD is usually provided by medical doctors or psychologists. These diagnostic assessments typically involve both direct observation and developmental interviews to inform the clinician’s diagnosis based on ASD criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Subtypes of ASD can also include Autistic disorder, Childhood disintegrative disorder and Pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified). Asperger’s or Asperger syndrome was once used as the diagnostic term for Autism, but is no longer a term used separately from ASD, due to its association with Austrian psychiatrist Hans Asperger and his controversial ties to the Nazi party.

People diagnosed with ASD would be considered ‘neurodivergent’ meaning that they have brains that function differently and can include those diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, dyslexia or Tourette’s syndrome. People diagnosed with ASD may have some challenges with social communication, interactions with others and may have some repetitive behaviours and special interests. People diagnosed with ASD may also require a different way of learning, moving or paying attention compared to their neurotypical counterparts - as in people who have brains that function in a similar way compared to most of their peers. A prevalent occurrence in ASD that is commonly seen are sensory issues, whether it is hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) or hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) to different forms of stimuli including sights, sounds, smells, touch and taste. For some, even everyday environments may be challenging and affect those with ASD such as heightened sensitivities to loud noises and bright lights, making it crucial to have proper support and understanding. For any other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) including the important vocabulary and language used regarding Autism, this link from Autism Canada is a great place to start.

For children, a timely diagnosis along with early intervention and support can benefit children diagnosed with ASD and other developmental disorders. Autism can typically be detected in childhood through screening in children as young as 12 months old. Because autism develops differently for each person, the term ‘spectrum’ is used because symptoms can occur in combination with each other or may differ in degrees of intensity and also vary widely from one person to another as well as across one’s lifespan.

Because ASD is a lifelong experience that may change how it affects people throughout one’s life experience, it’s important to note that people can be diagnosed at any stage in their lives. There are also many difficulties and hardships experienced from underdiagnosed youth, children, teens and adults experience compared to the neurotypical community. For example, in Alberta employment can be a significant barrier as the reported rates for autistic adults range from 11-50%; with those that are employed likely to be under-employed and working in menial low-paying or entry-level positions. In another American study relating to employment, it was found that adults diagnosed with ASD faced many other significant barriers including fear of disclosing their diagnosis of ASD due to fear of stigma, numerous social struggles including being too blunt, obsessing over the meaning of something a coworker said and not knowing how many questions to ask when requiring clarification from their boss. Other notable concerns include the lack of accommodations and support available and self-reported feelings of alienation, depression, low self-esteem and frustration.

Although there are currently no exact causes of ASD, the current evidence suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role in increasing the chances of developing ASD, although it is important to note that ‘increased risk’ does not relate to causation. The myth that Autism is caused by vaccines has hurt the community of people diagnosed with autism and it’s important to note that this myth has been debunked and is untrue, and you can read about it here. It’s also important to understand that autism is not a disease that needs to be eradicated or cured and people diagnosed with autism should not be seen as having something wrong with them that needs to be fixed or something that can limit their abilities. Instead, people diagnosed with autism need to be accepted for who they are. If organizations have messages that preach anything other than acceptance and understanding, then it might be possible to consider that they might not have the best interests of people diagnosed with ASD at heart.

In Alberta, individuals and their families can access a number of supports including programs from both governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO). These can include:

Governmental Agencies

-Autism and/or Intellectual Disability Knowledge Exchange Network (AIDE Canada)

-Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

-Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority - Autism in Education
-Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)
-Government of Canada - Autism Supports and Services

-Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)

Non-Government Organizations

-Autism Alliance of Canada

-Autism Calgary

-Autism Society of Alberta

-Autism Society of Edmonton Area

-Centre for Autism Services Alberta

-Society for Autism Support and Services

I would like to conclude with a quote by UK author, speaker and clinician Sarah Hendrickx who once stated “Autism is not a processing error. It’s a different operating system”.

Written by MSW practicum student, Erik Yuson.