April is Autism Acceptance Month. Throughout the month, we will be celebrating our community as we foster acceptance and ignite change.
Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States, with one in 36 children receiving a diagnosis, according to a newly-released report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In addition to 5.8 million Autistic adults, this prevalence means that Autism likely touches a vast majority of Americans either through relationships or direct experience, and the support needs across the Autism spectrum are vastly different. During Autism Acceptance Month, the ASCV is highlighting the diversity of experiences and needs with a reminder that acceptance happens every day.
Join us as we promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance this April. We look forward to sharing important information, valuable resources, and engaging activities throughout the month, and we hope you will share, too!
Share Your Story During Autism Acceptance Month!
April Events
- Virtual Film Screening and Q&A – “Life, Animated”: Monday, April 15 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM on Zoom.
Join ASCV’s Self-Advocate Council for a virtual screening of the documentary “Life, Animated,” an Oscar-nominated coming-of-age story about Owen Suskind (an Autistic young man) and his family, who overcame great challenges by turning Disney-animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship, and brotherhood. After the film, there will be a Question & Answer period with Owen and his brother, Walter. Please join us for this evening of celebrating connections and Autism acceptance!
CLICK HERE to learn more and register for the virtual film screening.
- Fundraiser Night/Meetup at Jason’s Deli – Willow Lawn: Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Jason’s Deli – Willow Lawn.
Come meet members of ASCV’S Self-Advocate Council, learn more about their work, and meet up with other members of our local autism community! 15% of sales from the evening will go back to the ASCV, directly supporting our programs and support services.
Ways You Can Help Grow Awareness & Promote Acceptance
Throughout the month, we hope you will join us in growing awareness, promoting acceptance, and igniting change here in Central Virginia. Here are some things you can do:
- Share your story in our Autism Acceptance Month campaign
- Share facts and resources to help people learn about autism
- Autism fact sheet for younger children
- Autism fact sheet for teenagers
- Autism fact cards and quotes – Print and share around the community – in classrooms, offices, grocery stores, car windshields, etc.
- Read books about autism
- Watch a television show or film with autistic actors or characters with autism, or listen to a podcast featuring autistic individuals
- Follow autistic bloggers and content creators*
- Find a creative way to display information about acceptance – create a bulletin board in your home or office, a sign in your window or yard, or a sidewalk chalk message in your driveway.
- Attend an inclusive or educational event in the community! Find a few local events coming up on our Community Calendar.
- Contact your local representatives to educate them about autism and advocate for funding to support high quality services and programming for individuals with autism. You can do this by sharing your story, your legislative priorities, and how your representative can impact your family.
- Invite the ASCV to do a presentation on autism at your school, office, community center, church, etc. Email us to schedule a date and time!
Thank you to the members of ASCV’s Self-Advocate Council for helping us update our resource lists!
*Disclaimer: The Autism Society of Virginia does not endorse any of the views, opinions, or statements presented in the following content. The views expressed therein are solely those of the individuals or entities involved and do not reflect the official stance or endorsement of the ASCV. Viewers/readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information provided and form their own informed opinions.
This is not a comprehensive list and just a small sampling of available resources and autistic experiences! There are many additional autistic content creators out there and we encourage viewers/readers to seek out additional resources by autistic creators!
Ways to Support the ASCV This April
- Catch a special sneak preview of ASD BAND: THE MOVIE! The ASCV Self-Advocate Council and the Arc of Virginia’s Ally Alliance are thrilled to invite you to a special online film premiere event of the award-winning PBS documentary ASD BAND: THE MOVIE in honor of Autism Acceptance Month! Streaming for our community during April, a portion of your $10 ticket and donation goes directly to support the work of both organizations. Learn more and stream HERE.
- Fundraiser Night/Meetup at Jason’s Deli – Willow Lawn: Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Jason’s Deli – Willow Lawn.
Come meet members of ASCV’S Self-Advocate Council, learn more about their work, and meet up with other members of our local autism community! 15% of sales from the evening will go back to the ASCV, directly supporting our programs and support services. - Form a team for the ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day and fundraise together! The ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day will return to Crump Park on May 18, 2024, with our 5K run/walk, a Resource Fair, family fun, and more! Visit ascv5K.org to register.
- Create a Facebook fundraiser for the ASCV. Share how the ASCV has helped you grow, and how the funds you raise will provide important programming and resources to local individuals with autism and their families. Make a video or piece of art to accompany the fundraiser and share with friends and family through email.
- Join the ASCV as a member! Visit https://ascv.org/membership/ to learn more about our membership options, including our new Ally Membership!
- Volunteer at an upcoming program or event!
- Participate in the Kroger Rewards Program. To register, log into your account, then search for the Autism Society Central Virginia (#LS065) and click “enroll.” After you enroll, anytime you use your Kroger Rewards card, your purchase will count toward the ASCV. (From December 2022 through February of 2023, 67 households donated $330 to the ASCV!)
For more specific information about the ideas included above, email us at [email protected].