Wanneer: jaarlijks, 2 april.
Thanks to UN resolution 62/139 (18-12-2007), the world has known World Autism Day (English: World Autism Day) since 2 April 2008. The Day is there to draw attention to autism.
Resolution 62/139: the birth of World Autism Day
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139 on 18 December 2007 and this was the birth of World Autism Day. Whether this also makes it a day to “celebrate” is a good question.
Is this a day to “celebrate” as is applicable for public holidays? Not, because awareness is the focus on this second day in April. In addition, recognition and equal rights for anyone who needs it. Then we are talking about persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Along with them also the families.
Importance of the day
Today, the UN wants to give value so that the challenges faced by persons with ASD and their families become clear. In addition, the day should provide a platform for education on autism and initiate dialogue among experts. It should also be a push for individuals in a position to make the decisions that will change legislation.
In addition, the idea was that the day should stimulate research and further innovations. This should boost medical, educational and social initiatives that support people with autism. All this should lead to a more inclusive society, where everyone gets equal opportunities.
2025: presidential decree
In 2025, US President Donald Trump took office. As health minister, he appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Because of his conspiracy theories on crucial health issues, Trump’s appointment as minister was therefore not only special. The appointment was condemned at home and abroad. One of the views Kennedy relied on before his appointment was the conspiracy theories of Andrew Wakefield. This conspiracy thinker once came up with the insane theory that childhood vaccinations would cause autism. There is no scientific basis for this. Nevertheless, both Kennedy and Trump questioned the alleged number of over-diagnoses of autism in the United States, in recent years. That was just not all.
On World Autism Day 2025, Trump decided to sign a presidential decree stating that he was declaring 2 April as World Autism Day. In doing so, he made it seem as if this idea was new or at least new to the United States. It also suggested that the United States could set a day on behalf of the whole world. This is something that is normally settled in the UN context.
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