Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with Action Behavior Centers
Every April, Action Behavior Centers joins families, educators, clinicians, and advocates across the country in recognizing Autism Acceptance Month. This month is an opportunity to celebrate children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, promote understanding, and encourage communities to create spaces where every autistic child feels welcomed and valued.
What is Autism Acceptance Month?
Many people are familiar with Autism Awareness Month, but the conversation has evolved in recent years. Today, families and autism advocates are shifting the focus toward autism acceptance, which goes beyond simply recognizing autism and instead encourages understanding, inclusion, and respect.
- Awareness means understanding that autism exists.
- Acceptance means creating communities where autistic people are respected, supported, and included.
Autism acceptance can look like:
- Schools creating inclusive learning environments
- Communities offering sensory-friendly activities
- Families receiving support and resources
- Autistic children being celebrated for their unique strengths and perspectives
When is Autism Acceptance Month?
Autism Acceptance Month takes place every April, and April 2 is recognized by the United Nations as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). This day was designated to promote global understanding of autism and encourage acceptance, appreciation, and inclusion for autistic individuals, and to recognize their contributions to the world.1
Throughout the month, schools, organizations, and communities host events that celebrate neurodiversity and promote inclusion. These may include:
- Autism acceptance walks
- Educational workshops
- Autism webinars
- School readiness activities
- Sensory-friendly community programs
How Action Behavior Centers celebrates Autism Acceptance Month
Throughout April, Action Behavior Centers celebrates Autism Acceptance Month by recognizing the incredible children, families, and teammates who make our mission possible. Here are a few ways our ABA centers participate.
Family stories
Families are at the heart of the autism community. During Autism Acceptance Month, we highlight stories from families and clinicians who share their experiences supporting children diagnosed with autism. These stories help families feel connected and remind us why autism acceptance matters.
Annual Art Walk
Each year, our centers host an Art Walk where children can showcase their creativity and accomplishments. The Art Walk gives families a chance to celebrate their child’s achievements and enjoy a joyful moment with other families in their community.
Teammate recognition
Our teammates make a lasting impact on the children and families we serve. During Autism Acceptance Month, we recognize the dedication of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), Behavioral Therapists (BTs), and center teams who help children reach milestone moments every day.
Symbols of autism acceptance
You may notice the rainbow infinity symbol, which represents neurodiversity and the wide range of experiences within the autism community. Many people also wear red during April to show support for autism acceptance.
How families can celebrate Autism Acceptance Month
Families play an important role in spreading autism acceptance in their communities. Here are a few ways families can participate in Autism Acceptance Month.
Learn more about autism
Understanding autism helps families advocate for their children and educate others. Our family resources page is a helpful place to start.
Explore autism screening and diagnosis support
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, getting an early evaluation for autism can help you navigate your next steps.
Attend local autism acceptance events
Many communities host Autism Acceptance Month events, including sensory-friendly activities, autism walks, and family gatherings.
Talk about autism
Open conversations help build understanding and reduce stigma. Talking with teachers, friends, and family members about autism can help create more inclusive communities.
Autism acceptance resources
If you want to learn more about autism acceptance or share resources with others, these organizations and materials can help.
Websites about autism & autism acceptance
Videos & on-demand autism webinars
Autistic-owned & autism-friendly companies
- Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project
- Designs by Siri
- JT Firestarters
- Popcorn for the People
- AutonomyWorks
- Ultranauts
- VenturesATL
- Peace Love Autism
Books about autism acceptance
- Too Sticky!: Sensory Issues With Autism by Jen Malia
- Rogue by Len Miller-Lachmann
- Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
- Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap: NT Is OK! by Clay Morton and Gail Morton
- Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla
- Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
- Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
- Look Me in the Eye: My Life With Asperger’s by John Elder Robison
- Different—A Great Thing to Be! by Heather Avis
- Acceptance Is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego
- The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone With Autism by Ellen Sabin
- Alex and His Magical Colors: An Autism Discovery Story by Dr. Joe Denham
- Forever Boy by Kate Swenson
How Action Behavior Centers supports autistic children and their families
Action Behavior Centers is a leading provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. ABA therapy is an evidence-based therapy that focuses on helping autistic children learn meaningful skills for everyday life.
If you would like to learn more about how Action Behavior Centers supports children diagnosed with autism and their families, we invite you to schedule a tour of one of our centers and meet our compassionate teammates.
You can get started here or explore autism therapy locations near you to find an ABA center in your community.
At Action Behavior Centers (ABC), we help children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reach milestone moments. Compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do, and our highly trained clinicians deliver evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Our autism services include diagnostic support, 1:1 individualized care, parent training, school readiness programs, and Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) across hundreds of centers in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Texas. Because no family should have to wait for help, ABC offers immediate access to care. Contact us today to get started.
