Every April, you may hear people talk about Autism Awareness Month or Autism Acceptance Month, but which one is correct? The answer depends on who you ask!

For years, April has been recognized as Autism Awareness Month, focusing on educating the public about autism and helping people recognize its signs. But in recent years, there has been a push to shift the conversation from awareness to acceptance, and this change is important for the autistic community.

A Brief History of Autism Awareness Month

Autism was first nationally recognized in April 1972 as National Autistic Children’s Week. Over time, this expanded into Autism Awareness Month, with organizations working to spread information about autism. The goal was to help people recognize the signs of autism, especially in children, and encourage early diagnosis and support.

However, while awareness is important, many in the autistic community felt that simply making people “aware” wasn’t enough. Awareness alone doesn’t improve the lives of autistic individuals or promote inclusion—it can sometimes make them feel different or excluded.

The Shift to Autism Acceptance Month

In 2021, the Autism Society of America, along with many disability organizations, officially changed Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month. This change was made to reflect the growing need for society to not just be aware of autism but to accept, integrate, and appreciate autistic individuals.

Several well-known organizations have embraced this change, including:

The Administration for Community Living
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities
The Autistic Women & Non-Binary Network
Easter Seals
First Place AZ
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
The Arc

These groups emphasize neurodiversity—the idea that brain differences, including autism, are natural and should be accepted rather than changed. Many of these organizations work with both children and adults to promote inclusivity and support.

Why Are Some Organizations Still Using “Autism Awareness”?

Despite the shift, you may still see some organizations using the term Autism Awareness Month. This could be for several reasons:

They haven’t heard about the change yet. Some organizations may still be following the same marketing strategies they’ve used for years. Since the announcement was made in 2021, it’s possible they missed it.
They focus on early diagnosis. Many programs that work with young children still emphasize early detection, which was a key focus of Autism Awareness Month.
They are trying to appeal to both audiences. Some organizations use both terms to avoid confusion, especially when communicating with people who are not familiar with the change.

Change takes time, and over the next few years, we will likely see Autism Acceptance Month become the standard term. If you hear someone still using Autism Awareness Month, they may simply not be aware of the shift.

Why Does This Change Matter?

Switching from awareness to acceptance is more than just a change in words—it’s a shift in how we view autism. Awareness is about recognizing autism exists; acceptance is about embracing autistic individuals as valued members of society.

For autistic individuals, acceptance means:

Being included in schools, workplaces, and social spaces
Having their needs understood and respected
Being seen as people with strengths, not just challenges
No longer feeling like they need to “mask” or hide who they are

If you are a professional, it’s important to be aware of this shift and adopt the language of acceptance. If you are autistic or have an autistic family member, you don’t have to educate others—but sharing this information can help create more understanding.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance?

Autism awareness focuses on making people aware that autism exists and helping them recognize its signs.
Autism acceptance encourages society to support, include, and appreciate autistic individuals.

2. Why did the name change from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month?

The change was made in 2021 to emphasize inclusion and appreciation rather than just recognizing autism as a condition. Many in the autistic community felt that awareness alone wasn’t enough—it’s acceptance that leads to real change.

3. Are organizations still using Autism Awareness Month?

Yes, some organizations continue to use Autism Awareness Month because they are either unaware of the change or still focus on early detection of autism. However, more and more groups are adopting Autism Acceptance Month.

4. How can I promote autism acceptance?

Use the term Autism Acceptance Month instead of Autism Awareness Month.
Support autistic voices and listen to their experiences.
Advocate for inclusion in workplaces, schools, and social settings.
Educate yourself and others about neurodiversity.

Conclusion

Language matters, and shifting from autism awareness to autism acceptance is an important step toward a more inclusive society. Instead of just recognizing autism, we should focus on embracing and supporting autistic individuals so they can live their lives with dignity and respect.

As the world moves toward acceptance, we can create real change, ensuring that autistic individuals feel valued, supported, and included in all aspects of life.

Need an Autism Evaluation?

Dr. Jessica Myszak has over 10 years of experience performing psychological evaluations with children and adults. She offers both in-person and telehealth evaluations. In addition to seeing clients on the Chicago North Shore, she can work with families who reside in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin! If you want to learn more about potentially working with her, you can contact her to start the process.