World Autism Awareness Day 2024: All You Need To Know About
Updated On Jan 03, 2024
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World Autism Awareness Day 2024 is celebrated every year on April 2. It is observed to promote the importance of supporting and improving the quality of life of people with autism. According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, one out of every hundred children suffers from autism. Therefore, the UN General Assembly started observing April 2 as "World Autism Awareness Day" across the globe to promote awareness about this condition. Continue reading to find out the theme, significance, and history of World Autism Awareness Day in detail!
What Do You Mean by Autism?
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a disorder in which symptoms begin to appear in early childhood. It starts developing among children from birth and stays lifelong with them.
What is the World Autism Awareness Day 2024 Theme?
World Autism Awareness Day 2024 theme is “Light It Up Blue.” This theme encourages people to wear blue and turn on the lights in their residences or places of business. Therefore, the theme focuses on exploring the contributions made by autistic people at home or work and making a better and more sustainable future for everyone.
Why is World Autism Awareness Day Celebrated?
World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year to encourage people to raise awareness about autistic individuals and look for new methods to improve their wellness.
The word "autism" emerged in 1911 by Eugen Bleuler. He was a psychiatrist who used this word to explain one of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Later in 1943, Dr Leo Kanner, a pediatric psychiatrist, classified autism as a social and emotional disorder. Further, in 1944, autism was declared a child's disorder in which children face social and communication problems by Hans Asperger.
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Autism?
Symptoms
Most often, individuals with autism exhibit constrained and repetitive interests or behavioral patterns. Some of the other symptoms of autism are highlighted below:
- Excessive worry or stress
- Unusual level of fear
- Repetitive movements such as spinning, running, jumping, and more
- Obsessive interests
- Unexpected reactions to sensory inputs such as smell, taste, and sound
- Getting upset about minor mishappenings
Causes
The real cause of autism is still unknown. However, some suspected reasons for autism spectrum disorder are as follows:
- Genetic mutations
- Low birth weight
- Maternal history of infections
- Metabolic imbalances
- Birth from older age parents
- Exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxin
How To Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day 2024?
Here are some ways in which you can celebrate World Autism Day 2024.
- Spread a word of mouth among people who are less aware of autism and educate them about this disorder.
- Become a helping hand for autistic individuals by associating with organisations working for these people.
- You can wear blue and celebrate your day with your friends and family who are suffering from autism.
Does Health Insurance Plans Provide Coverage For Autism?
Health insurance provides financial coverage to policyholders against certain disorders or critical illnesses. There are many health insurance companies in India. Some of them provide health insurance for autism. The government has also taken the initiative by launching the “Niramaya” health insurance scheme to financially cover autism patients. The maximum sum assured of Rs. 1 lakh is offered by the Indian government for the treatment and care of children.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, autism is one of the rapidly growing disorders that affect children of all age groups. You may detect this disorder at birth and continue to suffer from it throughout your life. At present, there are no preventive measures for autism. However, the condition can be treated with early diagnosis. So, become a member of kindness, and celebrate World Autism Awareness Day 2024 by making people aware of the meaning, causes, and symptoms of autism.
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