Will be updated as I find more information. This list includes things for both autistic and non-autistic people to do, and things to avoid. Naturally these things can be done outside of April as well. Got suggestions? Send them my way!
Last updated April 10, 2017
Things to do during April that support the Autistic community
General
- How to support an autistic person during Autism Awareness Month
- Observe Autism Acceptance Month in April
- Autism Acceptance Day Self-care Checklist
- How to cope with Autism Awareness Month
- 5 Guidelines to Keep in Mind During Autism Acceptance Month
- Identifying Beneficial Charities
- Amplify autistic voices and celebrate autistic culture
- Push back against stereotypes and inaccuracies you see people expressing, see these for methods:
Support the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), an autistic-run nonprofit that does a lot of policy work
- Donate directly and/or become a member
- Shop at Amazon using AmazonSmile and choose Autistic Self Advocacy Network
- Pagination Art (disclaimer: that is me, this blogger) is selling bookmarks with full proceeds to ASAN
- Sign up for ASAN’s newsletter (email newsletter@autisticadvocacy.org)
- Take a look at their publications
- Follow their social media accounts
- Find out if there is a chapter near you to participate in
- Autistic Gaming Initiative
- ThinkGeek neurodiversity shirt – all proceeds to ASAN
Support Autism Women’s Network (AWN), an autistic-run nonprofit dedicated to providing community and resources to Autistic women and girls.
- Donate directly
- Shop at Amazon using AmazonSmile and choose Autism Women’s Network
- Sign up for AWN’s newsletter
- Buy their new anthology
- Shop at AWN’s Redbubble
- Follow their social media accounts:
Other Groups and Stuff to Support (non-exhaustive)
- NOS Magazine, an autistic-run online magazine for neurodiversity culture and representation
- Autistic Families International, an autistic-run group whose vision “is a world where autistic people and our families are accepted, valued and included.”
- Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Lending Library, offers books, resources and information on autism from a neurodiversity and disability rights & justice perspective to the communities of Stanwood and Camano Island, WA.
- Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy, local organization which seeks to advance the equity of autistic people in all realms of life.
Check out the Autism Acceptance Month Website (run by ASAN)
Attend local Autism Acceptance Month events
- AWN is hosting one in the D.C. area, and one in Stanwood, WA
- See if your local ASAN chapter is holding an event
- Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy events
- And more local events!
The #RedInstead Campaign instead of Light it up Blue
Follow the Autism Acceptance Day page and Interviews with Autistics series started by Paula Durbin-Westby
- Autism Acceptance Day and Month (Accepting interviewees!)
Stimtastic Giveaways
- Stimtastic April “Giveaway A Day” (autistic-owned stim toy company is doing giveaways!)
Do some Reading on Autism Acceptance and Autistic Culture (these are just a few links out of many)
- Why Acceptance? On the AAM website
- Disabled not disordered: autism and the social model
- Don’t Mourn for Us
- My Son Doesn’t Need to be Fixed
- A love letter to the autistic community
- The Obsessive Joy of Autism
- On Everything I Love and Want to Succeed
- Autistic Culture
- Changing the Child vs Helping the Child
- The Influence of Others
Things to avoid in April during Autism Acceptance Month
Avoid Autism Speaks and Lighting it Up Blue, and organizations with a focus on cure, prevention, etc.
- New Autism Speaks Masterpost by The Caffeinated Autistic
- ASAN flyer on AS
- ASAN statement on Autism Speaks Board Appointments (December 2015)
- How to boycott Autism Speaks
- Identifying Beneficial Charities
Avoid Posting Personal Details about your Autistic Relatives Online (links are explanations)
Paginated Thoughts 