April is the month of celebrating Spring and Easter. More significantly, April is World Autism Awareness Month and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. In 2018, the hashtag #LightItUpBlue is shared on social media to aid in raising awareness globally. I made sure to wear blue on April 2 and reminded my mom to also wear the color. My blue T-shirt had the message, “I <3 Someone with Autism.” I have received compliments on my shirt along with mothers of children with Autism telling me about their children. I could tell that these mothers appreciated someone acknowledging Autism.
Blue is not solely for clothing and social media pages. Landmarks also “light it up blue.” According to ABC7 Eyewitness News, “Landmarks around the world will turn blue in support of the cause. Niagara Falls, the United Nations, the Empire State Building, the White House and state government buildings are just a few of the landmarks to glow blue on April 2 in years past” (ABC7 News). The landmarks look magnificent glowing blue. If only the landmarks would glow blue for the entire month of April. The more landmarks participating, the more awareness will be raised.
World Autism Awareness Day is distinguished internationally when ‘the United Nations reaffirms its “commitment to promote the full participation of all people with autism, and ensure they have the necessary support to be able to exercise their rights and fundamental freedoms.’ (LANGONE 2018). I am grateful that Autism has finally been acknowledged as an important issue that needs awareness and research for a cure. “The United Nations in 2007 proclaim April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day but it also became a day to start a national conversation about autism” (Magro 2018). I wish the United Nations did not wait until the new millennium to proclaim the awareness day. National conversations should have begun last millennium. Education is key to making changes.
Autism has been in my life since by two younger siblings were diagnosed during their toddler years (the early to mid-1990s). Both my parents made changes and sacrifices to receive help and educate themselves on the disorder. My mom and siblings moved to California due to nothing being available for families with Autism in New Mexico. My dad worked hard to support our family living in two states. My siblings received the assistance and care needed and had two homes.
My mom and siblings on World Autism Awareness Day 2018
Photo by Alice Morris-Jones
I have wondered why blue is the color used for Autism Awareness. Kerry Magro, an international professional speaker who is on the autism spectrum, has always associated the color blue in positive light. “Even looking deeper into blue as a color, I’ve always associated it in my life as a color of peace and honesty. I don’t know if anyone reading this may relate to me but blue has always made me feel calm as well. Growing up with sensory issues there was a time where I’d only wear blue shirts to school. That’s why to this day it’s still one of my favorite colors” (Magro 2018). Magro’s association with the color answers my curiosity. People on the spectrum who also have sensory issues need something to help them feel calm. Blue reminds me of water, which can be associated with calmness.
People on the Autism spectrum want what everyone else wants: to be understood as human beings who want to be seen and heard. Not fitting into the ableist society is nothing to be ashamed of nor to fear. Pointing, staring and making inappropriate comments give more power to ignorance and ableism. Ableism is still living in today’s society. World Autism Awareness Month and Day are still needed. I hope to see the day acceptance defeats ignorance.