02/04 - World Autism Awareness Day (ONU)

Established by the United Nations (UN) in 2007 – and made official in Brazil by Law º 13.652/2018 –, World and National Autism Awareness Day, celebrated yearly on April 2, reaffirms the “commitment to promote the full participation of all people with autism, and ensure they have the necessary support to be able to exercise their rights and fundamental freedoms,” thus lessening the prejudice and discrimination that affect people diagnosed with this disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that appears in childhood and persists into adolescence and adulthood, reaching different levels of intellectual disability, communication and interaction. It may also be associated with other comorbidities such as movement repetition, anxiety, epilepsy, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – all behaviors that directly affect social relationships.

In this sense, Brazil’s Federal Law 12.764/2012 establishes the National Policy for the Protection of the Rights of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as guidelines that ensure that social and physical environments are accessible to people with ASD.

Moreover, Brazil’s Law 13.977/2020 – Federal Law “Romeo Mion” – created the Identification Card for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Carteira de Identificação da Pessoa com Transtorno do Espectro Autista/Ciptea), issued for free to ensure “prompt and comprehensive care, as well as priority in care and access to public and private services, especially in the fields of health, education and social assistance."

Through actions that encourage dissemination of information and discussions about diversity in autism, we can help combat prejudice and generalization, promoting respect and equal conditions for an inclusive experience in society.

By BTLaw Diversity Committee