Autism Awareness month 

The month of April has so many wonderful things. April marks springtime when all nature blooms and the animals emerge from hibernation. With many holidays like playing jokes on people and little kids running around collecting bright, colorful eggs, April also holds one of the important awareness months, Autism Awareness Month.

Autism impacts communication, learning, and understanding of the world. Some individuals may need assistance with social skills or may have intense interests. Leo Kanner first identified autism as a distinct medical condition in 1943 and published “Infantile Autism,” which focused on the behaviors of 11 children, laying the foundation for autism understanding. Autism Awareness Month began in April 1970, established by the Autism Society to promote awareness, and in 1988, President Reagan officially recognized it.

Notable figures like Tim Burton and Albert Einstein are believed to have had Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although they were never formally diagnosed. Einstein, known for his significant contributions to physics, exhibited traits such as delayed speech and social distance. Tim Burton’s former partner noted his struggles with social interactions and intense focus on his work, which he recognized in himself.

These two people ended up having ASD but ended up changing the world. This shows that being different isn’t bad and that people with autism can do everything, sometimes more, that people without autism can do. Everyone should celebrate their differences, not just in April, but all months of the year

Written by Alicia Mcdowell | Graphic Designed by  Alicia Mcdowell

Published April 29, 2025 | ePathfinder | News