“If the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool, you would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.” –Dr. Temple Grandin
“Autism Awareness Month” (April) has roots reaching back more than half a century. Dr. Bernard Rimland, best remembered for establishing the neurological nature of autism, is also credited with initiating the first Autism Awareness Day in 1970.
Not that Rimland’s legacy was all positive: most of his work was based on the then-standard idea that autism was all problems and no benefits. He saw primarily the negative aspects and made little effort at encouraging autistic people to share their viewpoints.
Today, the autistic community is speaking out in large numbers—and much of what it says is aimed at refuting negative attitudes. Being “on the spectrum” is not a tragedy. People with autism can live independently. Support and advocacy—and leadership—are for the people directly affected, not just for their parents.
Awareness vs. Acceptance
Closely related is that for many, Autism Awareness Month is now Autism Acceptance Month. Amy Barry, Digital Marketing Lead for BridgingApps, explains:
“It’s important to move beyond ‘awareness’—not just to notice autism, but to understand and embrace it. Acceptance brings peace, connection, and empathy, making it easier to support and celebrate people on the spectrum. For me, acceptance is empowering—it shifts the focus from just recognizing autism to really understanding and supporting those who live with it.
“I think some people like ‘awareness’ because they see it as the first step to understanding. For them, it’s about starting the conversation, hoping that acceptance will come next. While raising awareness can clear up misunderstandings and help people learn more about autism, the goal is to create a world where people on the spectrum are fully accepted for who they are.”
What Else Does Acceptance Mean?
Put another way: awareness can lead to pity and patronizing. Acceptance goes beyond understanding that people are different: it sees the difference as positive, and it encourages others to be who they really are.
Not that long ago, left-handed children were pressured to use their right hands in school. Teachers were aware that some children naturally favored the left hand, but they didn’t accept it as normal: their solution was to demand conformity; and common side effects included stuttering and learning difficulties.
Once left-handedness was accepted, the pressure was off and left-handed children were freed to do their best work. Likewise, autism acceptance frees people to use their natural approaches to life, including such common autistic traits as:
- Creativity
- Memory
- Attention to detail
- Ability to concentrate on problem-solving
With full opportunity to contribute, the autistic brain has unique potential to find solutions and breakthroughs.
Suggestions for Autism Acceptance Month
- Read a book or blog written by someone with autism.
- Use an autism-acceptance hashtag or quote in your social media headers.
- Join a social-media (or in-person) group that talks about autism. (Look for a group that includes autistic and non-autistic members.)
- Make a social-media (or in-person) connection with someone who has autism.
- Attend a neurodiversity expo or other event.
- There are technologies that simulate the autistic experience. Don’t, however, treat this as a “fun game” or assume you’ll learn “exactly what it’s like”: that’s insulting to people who live with a condition 24/7.
- Browse the autism lists in our App Search Tool. You may find that love of a certain app is one thing you have in common with many autistic people.