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April is Autism Acceptance Month, an opportunity to deepen our understanding of this complex developmental disability. 

According to The Autism Society of America, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, or just Autism, capitalized) is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, ability to communicate, ability to form and maintain relationships and behavioral self-regulation. 

The Autism experience is different for everyone. Often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people to varying degrees, it is frequently characterized by challenges with repetitive behaviors and non-verbal or limited communication. 

Across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups about 1 in 36 U.S. children have been identified with Autism, with boys nearly four times as likely as girls to be identified, according to the CDC. There is no known single cause of Autism, but many factors are thought to contribute to its development, including environmental, genetics, preexisting conditions and abnormalities in brain structure. 

Early diagnosis helps a person receive resources that can support the choices and opportunities needed to live fully. 

Autism in adults can be challenging to diagnosis, and late-identified adults might find that a diagnosis offers little in terms of day-to-day support or benefit – in addition to being expensive. On the other hand, a formal diagnosis offers validation that a real, identifiable reason for certain differences exists, offering psychological clarity, relief and perhaps greater self-acceptance. 

Ever wonder if you or a loved one could be autistic? Check out this UW Autism Center webinar Could I Be Autistic? A Free Webinar for the Self-Diagnosed or Wondering on April 25 at 6 p.m. 

Over the last two decades, extensive research has explored the connection between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: vaccines do not cause Autism. 

The 2021 shift from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month reframes the conversation to focus on intentional inclusion. The change represents a long-held belief by Autism and neurodiversity advocates that helping Autistic people lead more fulfilling lives, rather than treating the condition like an illness, is the appropriate approach. 

“Awareness is knowing that somebody has Autism,” said Christopher Banks, CEO of The Autism Society of America. “Acceptance is when you include a person with autism in your activities.” 

Learn more and get involved 

Parents and caregivers can use the CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early program to monitor children’s development and know when there might be a concern; the brief checklist of milestones provides a child development baseline. 

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to Autism. ASAN believes that the goal of Autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. 

UW’s Do-IT (charity code: 1481184) (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive. 

Check out Art Enables, an art gallery and vocational arts program dedicated to creating opportunities for artists with various disabilities to make, market, and earn income from their original and compelling artwork. Resident artists receive 70% of all art sales. Purchase artwork by resident artists. 

In The world needs all kinds of minds, Temple Grandin, diagnosed with Autism as a child, talks about how her mind works — sharing her ability to “think in pictures,” which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the Autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids. 

Read Your “Autism Awareness Day” Might Be Excluding Autistic People (Harvard Business Review) to better understand how organizations can meaningfully uplift the voices of Autistic people in discussions and celebrations of neurodiversity. 

Watch The Exclusion & Dehumanization of Autistic & Neurodivergent People, written and produced by the Neurodivergent Rebel Lyric Rivera, a trans-nonbinary Autistic self-advocate. 

Listen to the absdkids podcast for more on autism news, current events, and inclusion. Each week a new guest shares their unique perspective and expertise as it relates to the fascinating world of autism. 

Search the hashtags #ActuallyAutisic and #CelebrateDifferences on social media for a look at a social movement giving Autistic people back their power; check out the UW Autism Center’s Autism Stories, a series of podcast conversations about life with Autism based on the belief that everyone has a story to share; and carve out some time for the excellent playlist The Autism Spectrum from TED Talks. 

Support 

Consider making a one-time contribution or setting up payroll deduction to one of our CFD member organizations working to create a more inclusive life for people with Autism: 

University of Washington Autism Center (charity code 1481191): This fund supports activities at the UW Autism Center. The Center provides professional training, diagnostic evaluation and program consultation for children with Autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. 

Autism Society of America (charity code 0315891): A national source of information, advocacy and support that reaches local communities with a one-of-a-kind nationwide network of Autism knowledge and support. 

Autism Speaks (charity code: 1482721): creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families. 

The Autism Community in Action (charity code: 1478769): They share the most recent scientific discoveries with parents so they can help their children. Using both targeted therapies and proven medical interventions, kids diagnosed with autism have the potential to live a healthy, independent, and joy-filled life. 

The Arc of King County (charity code 0315598): The Arc of King County promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can live, learn, work and play in the community – improving the quality of life for us all. 

Disability Rights Washington (charity code 1481504): Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights. 

Autism Empowerment (charity code 1480886) is devoted to promoting a culture of acceptance, enrichment, inspiration and empowerment for youth and adults on the Autism spectrum, and their families. Autism is OUR journey. We’ll meet you along the way. 

Kindering (charity code 0315445): Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar. 

Wonderland Kids (charity code 1478424): is a nonprofit agency serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, and prenatal substance exposure. Founded in 1969, Wonderland is dedicated to helping children meet healthy developmental milestones. 

Events

Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative,
5:30 PM, every Thursday, April 3 – December 18, 2025
Online event

Taking care of each other: creating systems of care
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM, April 30, 2025
Seattle Convention Center

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is recognized annually in March, through presidential proclamation, as an opportunity to celebrate the inclusion of people with disabilities in civic and social life to create strong and diverse communities.

The month also provides the catalyst to raise awareness about the many barriers that people with disabilities still face in achieving both self-determination and full societal inclusion.

Read about the history of developmental disabilities awareness month

The awareness campaign theme for 2025, developed by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, is “Were Here All Year.” The theme is intended to “emphasize that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March”  people with developmental disabilities in society.

What are developmental disabilities?

Easterseals, the national nonprofit leader in empowering people with developmental disabilities to be full and equal participants in society, defines developmental disabilities as disabilities that occur from birth to the first few years of development, may impact day-to-day functioning, and are typically lifelong diagnoses.

Common developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hearing or vision loss, learning disorders and ADHD.

Developmental disabilities are understood to be caused by a complex interaction of factors including genetics, parental health and behaviors during pregnancy, or by complications during birth, among other possible factors. The specific cause is often unknown.

The prevalence of developmental disabilities is more common than people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17% of children in the United States between the ages of three and 17 have one or more developmental disabilities or delays.

More than five million Americans reportedly have developmental disabilities.

Living with developmental disabilities can create a variety of challenges, such as difficulties with mobility, communication, self-help, independent living and physical and mental health issues. Moreover, people with developmental disabilities are vulnerable to abuse and neglect on many levels, including physical, psychological, legal, and systemic abuse.

Learn more and get involved

UW’s Do-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

Parents and caregivers can use the CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early program to monitor children’s development and know when there might be a concern; the brief checklist of milestones provides a child development baseline.

Check out Art Enables, an art gallery and vocational arts program dedicated to creating opportunities for artists with disabilities to make, market, and earn income from their original and compelling artwork. Resident artists receive 70% of all art sales. Purchase artwork by resident artists.

Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds: Temple Grandin, diagnosed with autism as a child, talks about how her mind works — sharing her ability to “think in pictures,” which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids.

Check out Easterseals’ Resource Library: Easterseals employs an inclusive cast and crew led by people with disabilities highlighting how Easterseals is expanding local access to healthcare, education, and employment for people with disabilities, families, and communities across the country.

Support

Consider making a one-time contribution or setting up payroll deduction to one of our CFD member organizations working to create a better and more inclusive life for people living with a developmental disability:

The Arc of King County (charity code 0315598): The Arc of King County promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can live, learn, work and play in the community – improving the quality of life for us all.

Easter Seals Washington (charity code 1481729 – designate them through CHC) Changing the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day.

Disability Rights Washington (charity code 1481504): Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights.

Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Center Foundation (charity code 0496965 ): Our dedicated researchers are working relentlessly to improve treatments for more than 200 diseases and conditions to discover the most effective, least invasive and best options for the kids who need it most.

Summit Assistance Dogs (charity code 0315210) creates life-changing partnerships by providing highly skilled mobility service dogs for people living with disabilities in the Pacific Northwest.

Kindering (charity code 0315445): Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar.

Atlas Assistance Dogs (charity code 1482419) Atlas provides support to assist people with disabilities in training their own service dog. We also provide online courses to train and certify experienced dog trainers to be service dog trainers.

Wonderland Child Family Services (charity code 1478424): is a nonprofit agency serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, and prenatal substance exposure. Founded in 1969, Wonderland is dedicated to helping children meet healthy developmental milestones.

Dogs for Better Lives (charity code 1478994) Professionally train dogs to help people and enhance lives while maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs rescued or bred and the people served. Our three assistance dog programs are: Hearing, Autism, and Program Assistance.