April is Autism Awareness Month, which makes it an important time to get the message across about Autism. 1 in 68 children are born with autism presently, which is an alarmingly high number. So, it’s very important to help raise awareness and tolerance, while promoting research to benefit those who are diagnosed with autism. Although autism ranges in the way it affects people, it’s important to gain a better understanding of autism and how it may affect those around you, as well as the future. So, you may be wondering how you can do your part to chip in, without spending a small fortune on donations. Luckily, there’s many ways you can make the most out of this month, while spending very little to nothing.
1. Educate Yourself
One of the most important things you can do during Autism Awareness month is educate yourself on the subject. There’s a lot of interesting information on Autism, even if it is still quite a mystery to us. Of course, there’s also a lot of stigma and myths surrounding Autism, which need to me corrected in order for people to understand it in a factual and helpful way. One easy step is to go online and read up about Autism; however, be aware that some websites are not at all credible and you should take the information with a grain of salt. Of course, you may be able to find some great kid-friendly websites online to help children gain knowledge too. Books are a great resource too though. In fact, many people who have high functioning Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome have actually written books about their lives which are insightful and informative. Many doctors and psychologists would be happy to talk to you about Autism if you make an appointment. Some may even pass out pamphlets that can explain a lot of information to you.
2. Dress Up
Although it may not seem like much, dressing up in the month of April can help you spread awareness without even realizing it. A lot of stores will be selling Autism Awareness shirts, so you can always start your journey there. Generally, many of the proceeds for these shirts go to programs that assist the Autistic or charities which help fund research for Autism. If you’re on a tight budget, then you can easily make your own shirts. The color that symbolizes Autism Awareness is blue, so you can easily wear blue clothing or create your own custom t-shirt that shows off plenty of blue. Another option is to use the puzzle piece symbol, which has also become a symbol for Autism. This may make your designs a bit more fun as you can use a stencil to create a puzzle piece design or you can cut a sponge into a puzzle piece to create a stamp that your kids will love to use.
3. Fundraise
Most Autism programs are in dire need of money, because there is so much yet to be discovered about it. Many scientists have made breakthroughs recently, which have brought hope to a lot of parents. However, these breakthroughs can’t continue without the funding needed to run tests and pay for research. One way to help out with donations, without straight out giving a donation, is to run a fundraiser. You can sell off all of your Spring Cleaning clearance to begin with. Of course, if you’d like to involve the public then you may want to consider selling baked goods to selling off crafts. You can easily make your favorite desserts into puzzle pieces for a fun look that will sell quickly. Another idea is to make puzzle piece buttons, pins, shirts or anything else your creative side comes up with. You may even consider a car wash. The key is to let the public know what you’re doing. You’ll raise more awareness this way and people will be more likely to buy your products or services.
4. Spread the Word
Part of spreading awareness is actually getting out there and educating the public about Autism. You may consider asking your doctor for pamphlets to help, or see if you can print some from online. If you can’t get fliers or brochures, then simply talk to people. Let them know what you’re about before engaging in conversations, so they won’t feel as if they are being solicited. Make sure you have your facts down before you meet with people on the topics though. You may have to work hard to debunk some of the myths surrounding Autism as well. For instance, many people believe vaccinations cause Autism, which is simply not true. Others, believe that people with Autism are violent, due to some current events. Again, this isn’t true. You may have a debate on your hands, but if you have facts readily available, you should find your conversations will flow smoothly. You should also be prepared to answer questions on the spot, but if you’re not then at least have a source you can direct people to so they can get their questions answered.
5. Ask for Donations
If fundraising isn’t your cup of tea, or you simply don’t have the budget to put into it, then don’t worry about it. You can always try to ask for donations instead. Try to sign up to help out a charity, so you can declare exactly what you’re asking for money for when you talk to people. Although you may gain donations by asking people to chip in, you’ll probably wind up getting more if you go from company to company. A lot of industries love to donate to charities like this, because it allows them to advertise their charity, which puts the company in a good light. So, start by simply walking from place to place, or if you’d rather stay home, open up the yellow pages and get started. If you end up joining a team, then you’ll be supplied the information you need to ask for donations, which will help cut back on the stress. Of course, make sure to check out the charity before you commit to giving them money. There’s lots that aid Autism, but researching a charity is always your wisest move before presenting them with money.
6. Enjoy an Activity
Autism Awareness month has become quite an important time for many, so there’s lots of fun activities to take part in to help raise awareness and to celebrate those who have been diagnosed with Autism. So, if you’re looking for a great way to participate in this activity then you’ll be happy to know you should find an event that won’t cost you a penny. Of course, most events do run on donations, so you might keep this in mind before you show up empty handed. Some communities will host a fair to help educate people about autism while allowing people to have a bit of fun. Other places may host special games, walkathons or marathons to raise money and share knowledge and acceptance with the world. Try to ask around your local community to see if anyone as heard of any special events. If not, maybe you can host your own.
7. Spoil an Autism Parent
Although Autism Awareness Month is all about the people who are diagnosed with Autism, it’s important not to disregard those who sacrifice so much to care for them. So, this month you may want to meet up with an Autism parent and spoil them a bit. Try to take the mother out for a cup of coffee or to get a manicure. Sometimes, just sitting at home visiting can be a great way to help out. Autism fathers may enjoy a round of golf or an evening at the movies watching action packed films that may cause their child sensory overload. You may even volunteer to babysit if you’re qualified or know the child, so you can send both parents out on a much needed game night. If you don’t know any Autism parents personally then ask someone who does where you can send a gift basket or a gift of encouragement. You’ll wind up doing more good than you realize.
8. Host an Event
Ensure your community gets to spend some time understanding Autism throughout this month by hosting your own event. You may be surprised by how many people will turn up for a benefit for Autism. One easy event is to host a walk-a-thon to help earn money. You don’t even have to have everyone walk at once, as people can record their pedometers to show just how much they’ve walked over a given time. You can also host a barbeque or picnic to help get the message across. With this activity, you could easily create relays to keep everyone busy, as well as craft centers so everyone can work on Autism related crafts. Try to choose public places for these activities though as it will allow you to save money on permits and other expenses.
9. Shop Autism Stores
These days, there are many stores that help support Autism awareness and research with the proceeds of their sales. So, you may want to look into buying a few things from these types of stores during the month of April. In fact, there are even stores that sell items that were made by people who have been diagnosed with Autism. One of the more prevalent items to buy is art. There’s a few Autistic artists out there who make a living off of their stunning artwork. If you’re interesting in helping support those with Autism, then you may want to do a quick search online to see if you can find any of these amazing stores. You may be surprised by how fascinating the art work is, as many people diagnosed with Autism can portray the world in new and exciting ways.
10. Spend Time With Those Diagnosed With Autism
If there is one way to truly broaden your awareness of Autism and those that it affects, then surely spending time with those who have Autism is the best route to take. By doing this, you will broaden your knowledge of the diagnosis, while learning a whole lot about the world. In fact, you may see that those who are diagnosed with Autism can help you see some of the most beautiful aspects of your surroundings, without even speaking a word to you. The best thing is, without spending a dime, you will make someone’s life happier, if only for a few hours. Many who have Autism are trying to communicate with the world, so try to open your heart and let them show you who they are. You’ll be thankful you did and you may even want to make your visitations a ritual.
Autism Awareness Month is the perfect time to get to know this increasingly popular diagnosis. One day, you may know someone who is diagnosed with autism, if you don’t already. So, you may want to keep these ten tips close to your heart, so you can help those who have Autism celebrate who they are while helping charities who help those who are diagnosed and their families find the help they need.
