Context

The World Autism Awareness Day was observed across the world on April 2, 2019 with an aim to raise awareness about autism throughout the world.

About

• The theme of World Autism Awareness Day 2019 was “Assistive Technologies, Active Participation”.
• Also, it aims to encourage the Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about autism.

What is Autism?

• Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life.
• It results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, mostly affecting children and adults in many countries irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status.
• It is characterized by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities.
• Though there is no cure for it, therapeutic and behavioural guidance can considerably improve quality of life.

Symptoms:

• Failing to, or being slow to respond to someone calling their name
• Echolalia (repeating the same phrase over and over)
• Repetitive movements, such as flapping hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking fingers
• limited interest in interacting with other people
• over- or under-sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, smells, colours and lights
• Getting upset by slight changes in a routine etc.

When was the day proclaimed?

• The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through the resolution 62/139 and was passed in the UN Council on November 1, 2007.
• It was in 2008 when the UN General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day.
• World Autism Day is also one of the only four official health-specific UN Days.

Significance

• For people suffering from autism, the access to affordable assistive technologies is a must to enable them to exercise their basic human rights and thereby contribute to the understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Assistive technology can help them participate on an equal basis with others.