Unity can take place in unique and hidden places around the world.

The thirteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day is Thursday, April 2. The theme this year is to “Light It Up Blue” and show support to those who are affected by autism.

According to NationalToday.com, Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder marked by behavioral and communicational affections, which impact one’s ability to manage social interactions, which also causes restricted and repetitive behavior. World Autism Awareness Day was set to April 2 in the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly as the 139th resolution. The resolution was passed on November 1, 2007 and was finally adopted on December 18, 2007. World Autism Awareness Day is one of the seven health-specific United Nations (UN) Days, which includes days such as World Water Day and World Mental Health Day. It was created to raise awareness and support the research to find new ways to improve inclusion and wellness for those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“On World Autism Awareness Day, we speak out against discrimination, celebrate the diversity of our global community and strengthen our commitment to the full inclusion and participation of people with autism,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. “Supporting them to achieve their full potential is a vital part of our efforts to uphold the core promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to leave no one behind.”

Supporting those with autism, whether it be in the local community or around the world, brings awareness and helps assist in new ways of research. An example would be to help by donating to autism service organizations such as Balance Autism.

“We need to learn to accept and celebrate our differences. And we need to continue our research in Autism Spectrum Disorder in order to understand how we can best lend a helping hand,” scientist Alan Rosales said during World Autism Awareness Week in 2019.

Some ways the Xavier community can observe World Autism Awareness Day are to share information and spread awareness to others and to get involved and donate to autism associations.