The shift from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance as part of the neurodiversity movement has been gradual, but this change in mindset continues to grow every year. We humans are biodiverse—and neurodivergent individuals help to create that diversity on this planet.
As you might be aware, autism has an increasing presence in our world, and many people know of someone on the spectrum. In 2020, the CDC reported that one in 54 American children is diagnosed with an ASD (autism spectrum disorder), a number that has been on the rise not because more people are born with it, but because our diagnosis techniques have adapted to include more diversity on the autism spectrum.
Key facts from the World Health Organization:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions. Characteristics of autism may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later.
- People with autism are often subject to stigma, discrimination and human rights violations.
- Care for people with autism needs to be accompanied by actions at community and societal levels for greater accessibility, inclusivity and support.
These books present information about autism or feature characters on the autism spectrum. Looking for more information on autism? Make sure you check out the Autism Society of America.
The neurodiversity movement aims to embrace the natural neurological differences among all people, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and views these differences in a non-pathological way. This social justice movement guides research and education by helping clinicians, teachers, family members, and those with neurological differences to address their differences and live fulfilling lives. These nonfiction titles are just a sampling of the diverse ways people can view and interact with the world.
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