April is Autism Acceptance Month—a time to recognize the talents, contributions, and diversity within the autism community. At The Arc, autistic people and their loved ones are a part of our staff, volunteer leaders, and the driving force behind our work. Their lived experiences shape our advocacy at a time when an estimated 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are autistic—yet too many remain underserved.

The big picture: Autistic people deserve full inclusion and respect. Yet, they continue to face misunderstanding, discrimination, and barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and community life. True inclusion means more than awareness—it requires action to remove these obstacles so autistic people can thrive as their authentic selves.

From awareness to acceptance: Autism Acceptance Month builds on decades of advocacy. It began in 1970 as Autism Awareness Month and, in 1988, gained national recognition through a presidential proclamation. In 2021, the shift to acceptance reflected what autistic people have long called for—not just recognition, but real inclusion. Words matter, but action matters more. True progress comes from creating a society where autistic people are fully valued and supported.

Language and identity: Many autistic people prefer identity-first language (“autistic person”) over person-first language (“person with autism”), viewing autism as an integral part of who they are. Respecting individual preferences is a key part of inclusion—when in doubt, ask.

Autistic leadership in action: Autistic people are leading the charge for change, and The Arc is committed to elevating their perspectives. Meet two powerful leaders on our national Board of Directors:

• Russell Lehmann, an acclaimed autistic poet and motivational speaker, challenges misconceptions in his TEDx Talk “When Ignorance Becomes Awareness,” his AP News feature on autism in adults, and his Well+Good interview on common autism myths.
• Chloe Rothschild, an autistic advocate, shares her expertise in Insider on “5 Helpful Tips for Explaining Autism to Kids and Teens.”

Get Involved:

🧡 Donate to support The Arc’s advocacy and programs for autistic people.
⭐ Volunteer with your local chapter to advance inclusion.
📣 Engage with autistic perspectives—follow #ActuallyAutistic and use #AutismAcceptanceMonth to join the conversation.

“True inclusion means ensuring autistic people have every opportunity to live life to the fullest. When we listen deeply and create truly welcoming spaces, that’s when everyone shines.” – Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc