Categories: Current AffairsImportant Days

World Autism Awareness Day 2024, Date, History and Significance

World Autism Awareness Day is on April 2nd every year. It aims to raise awareness and support for people with autism. The theme for 2024 is “Empowering Autistic Voices.” A report says around 18 million people in India have autism. Between 1-1.5% of children aged 2-9 years old are diagnosed with autism. Boys are more commonly affected than girls.

World Autism Awareness Day, History

The United Nations established World Autism Awareness Day in 2007. The goal is to increase public awareness, accept and empower individuals with autism, and recognize their contributions to society.

Key Points:

Autism affects social interaction, communication, and behaviour
Causes can include premature birth, pollution, genetics
Early signs include lack of response, avoiding eye contact, repeated movements
Therapies and medications can help manage symptoms
World Autism Awareness Day raises global awareness and support

What is Autism?

Autism is a disorder that makes it hard for people to interact with others and communicate. People with autism may also have unusual behaviors and have trouble switching between activities. They may focus a lot on details and react strongly to sensations like sounds or textures.

Causes of Autism

Some possible causes of autism include:

Being born very premature or with low birth weight
The mother being exposed to air pollution or being obese during pregnancy
Diabetes or immune system problems in the mother
Genetics

Risk Factors

Things that increase the risk of autism include:

Having a sibling with autism
Having certain genetic conditions
Complications during birth
Being born to older parents

Symptoms of Autism

Signs of autism in young children:

Not responding to their name
Avoiding eye contact
Repeating movements over and over
Delayed speech development

Signs in older children:

Trouble understanding others’ thoughts and feelings
Unusual speech patterns
Sticking to strict routines
Difficulty making friends

Treatment

Treatment for autism aims to reduce symptoms and improve learning and skills. It may include:

Different therapies to help with speech and behaviour
Medications for related medical conditions

Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, my role involves researching and creating informative and engaging content aimed at helping candidates prepare for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in delivering insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest current affairs trends and developments. My primary focus is on educational excellence, ensuring that our readers are well-prepared and informed to face their exams with confidence. Through meticulously crafted content, I aim to guide and support candidates in their journey toward success.