What is the color of autism advocacy?

the different colors of autism advocacy

Here are the colors often associated with autism and autism advocacy:

Green. The Autism Society Philippines brandishes the color green as an homage to the nurturing, growth and hope that lives in families who care for loved ones with autism. Green has been in our logo and our collaterals since 1989 -- over 25 years!

Blue. The Light It Up Blue Campaign is a project of Autism Speaks, which aims to illuminate iconic landmarks, communities, businesses and homes across the globe with blue lights. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their long-time friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into a global organization which popularized the use of the blue puzzle piece to represent autism.

Rainbow. World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), celebrated each year on April 2, was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to acknowledge autism as a growing global health crisis. Autism is one of only three health issues to be recognized with its own day by the United Nations. In parallel, self-advocates promote April as World Autism Acceptance Month where they clamor for action beyond awareness of the neurological condition. The logos of both celebrate the colors of the rainbow spectrum.

Autism advocacy knows many colors, in the same way individuals on the spectrum are unique in their strengths and challenges. Defining the color of autism advocacy is secondary to the message we send the world: Many years after the autism was first diagnosed, advocates should labor beyond awareness and call for acceptance, appreciation and inclusion of the world's growing population of individuals with this neuro-developmental condition.

Posted in: WAAD