April 2024

Every April Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. This year marks the 17th annual World Autism Awareness Day.

Throughout the month, we focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism and fostering worldwide support. This year, we are committed to acting fearlessly for change. To help create a world in which autistic individuals are fully supported, championed and celebrated, we must all work together to achieve true acceptance.

We extend an invitation to all who share our vision to join us on our journey toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

Supporters can participate in World Autism Month in a variety of ways:

• Pledge your support to act fearlessly for change for a more accepting and inclusive world for people with autism.

• Show your support with your gift. It’s one of the easiest and best ways to support our work and create a more inclusive world. Donate today!

• Ask others to join you – engage in a Facebook Fundraiser to give people with autism the opportunity to live their best lives and reach their full potential.

• Advocate fearlessly for change. Your voice matters. Show your support for the latest autism legislation and receive the latest updates in autism policies and efforts.



• Wear your support with your choice of one-of-a-kind “Fearless for Change” t-shirt designed by autistic artists and caregivers.

Autism Prevalence

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023)

• 1 in 36 children in the U.S. have autism, up from the previous rate of 1 in 44.
• 1 in 45 adults in the U.S. have autism
• In the U.S., about 4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls have autism.
• Boys are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
• Autism prevalence is lower among white children than other racial and ethnic groups:
• White – 2.4%
• Black – 2.9%
• Hispanic – 3.2%
• Asian or Pacific Islander – 3.3%



These changes reflect an improvement in outreach, screening and de-stigmatization of autism diagnosis among minority communities.

*The CDC autism prevalence estimates are for 8-year-old children across 11 monitoring sites in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network in 2020.

Resources:

Autism Speaks is committed to providing the autism community with resources to meet each person and family's unique needs throughout every stage of life.

• Financial Planning 
• Safety 
• School 
• Technology
• Health and Wellness 
• Behavioral Challenges

• Medical Resources 
• Transition to Adulthood
• Adults
• Family Support 
• Community Life 
• Miscellaneous

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes long-term or overwhelming, it can be harmful. Learn what happens in your brain when you’re stressed, how stress can negatively affect your body, and what practices you can adopt to help keep it under control.

Website: https://www.dana.org

Mental Health America (MHA) offers a Stress Screener and tips for reducing or controlling Stress.

HelpGuide.org offers tips: Stress Management: How to Reduce and Relieve Stress

More information and how to register to come! Conference questions can be directed to Tee'Untra Moore: tee'[email protected]

This event will be a hybrid event - In-person and virtual attendance

National Dating Abuse Helpline

Offers confidential support for teens, young adults, and their loved ones seeking help, resources, or information related to healthy relationships and dating abuse in the US.

Visit: loveisrespect.org

Call: 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)

Text: “LOVEIS” to 22522.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline

Telephone: 800.656.HOPE (4673)

Online chat: online.rainn.org

Español: rainn.org/es

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or Text: 988

Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat

Deaf and Hard of Hearing: for TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis

llama al 988 o envía un texto al 988, o chat via https://988lifeline.org/chat (en inglés) 

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth)

Call: 1-866-488-7386

Text: START to 678678

Visit TrevorChat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/webchat

Veteran's Crisis Line

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

TTY: 1-800-799-4889

Website: www.veteranscrisisline.net

Connects veterans in crisis (and their families and friends) with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Substance Use Treatment Locator

Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Help is available. FindTreatment.gov.

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746).

Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

Find alcohol, drug, or mental health treatment facilities and programs around the country at findtreatment.samhsa.gov.