Last updated on November 26, 2023
Autism Awareness Day is April 2, and April is Autism Awareness Month. The day and month are a big deal for Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of America. Normally, these organizations receive a lot of media attention. In response, some autistic-led groups are usually asked for comment and some first-person perspectives on autism.
COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has made Autism Awareness a non-event.
I complained about “Autism Awareness” most Aprils since launching The Autistic Me in 2007. I just don’t like the “awareness” media coverage.
Now, for the first time in years, I wasn’t asked by a single media outlet for a comment. Nobody emailed me for an autistic insight. There was no spike in blog traffic, and no shares of some of my more controversial postings. Nothing at all.
Though I’m glad the “inspiration porn” stories aren’t airing nightly on CNN or MSNBC, and that I don’t have to hear one Autism Speaks PSA after another, I’m not thankful for the reason.
I want the reason there is no Autism Awareness Day that we accept people for who we are. I don’t want to be an autistic writer or autistic teacher or autistic anything else. I look forward to The Autistic Me being an outdated name for this project.
Right now, COVID-19 news coverage is essential. We need to encourage social distancing. We need people to practice the best possible hygiene. Everything else is secondary to staying alive.
Be safe. Follow the advice of medical experts. Do what health officials tell you to do.
Maybe next year I can complain about Autism Awareness again.