World Autism Acceptance Month – April 2025
What is World Autism Acceptance Month and why is it important?
World Autism Acceptance Month was established by the National Autistic Society, and it takes place every April. The aim of the month is to raise awareness and create a society where autistic people are understood, accepted and supported.
This means celebrating the differences in autistic people to foster a greater sense of inclusivity. World Autism Awareness Day took place on Wednesday 2 April 2025 and the Spectrum Colour Walk took place in Battersea Park on Saturday 5 April. Sign up to fundraise in other ways here.
What is autism?
Autism affects how people experience and interact with the world. Being autistic means you may feel things and react to them differently to a person who does not have autism. Socialising may be confusing or tiring for a person with autism, and loud or busy places may be overwhelming.
Autistic people may:
- Find it hard to communicate and interact with people
- Find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
- Find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
- Get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
- Take longer to understand information
- Do or think the same things over and over
What is the spectrum?
Autism is understood as being a spectrum which means that each autistic person has a unique combination of characteristics. Autistic people can be very different to each other and can have different sets of strengths and challenges. Autism is not a learning disability or a mental health condition, but around a third of people with autism also have a learning disability.
Experiences of autistic people in the UK
More than 1 in 100 people have autism, and there are over 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK. People of all ages, genders and ethnicities can have autism.
Research from the National Autistic Society shows that:
- 8 out of 10 of autistic people experience problems with their mental health.
- Only 26% of autistic pupils feel happy at school.
- Only 30% of autistic people are in any type of employment.
What support is available?
The National Autistic Society offers advice and guidance on topics such as diagnosis and support.
ASSIST provides free support for adults on the autism spectrum. Residents aged 18 and over, in Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, and Hammersmith & Fulham, who have or who are actively seeking a diagnosis of autism can access this service.
Services that support autistic children and young people in Westminster can be found at the Family Information Hub.
For more information on autism visit the NHS website.
