Month-Long Autism Awareness: Learning, Encouraging Kindness, and Building Community

Today is a day dedicated to raising awareness for individuals with unique ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. It’s also a day to honour those who have been lost—sometimes because of a lack of understanding or support in communities that don’t know how to respond to unprecedented situations. Today is the day the world observes World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was first recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to raise awareness about autism and promote the rights of autistic individuals.

What started as a call for awareness has grown into a movement focused on acceptance, inclusion, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of autistic people to society.

This year’s theme is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” The goal is to highlight how neurodiversity supports the global effort to achieve sustainable development while continuing to push for equal participation and opportunities for autistic individuals.

Here in Belize, the focus this month is closer to home. The theme for Belize’s Autism Awareness Month, “Kindness in Action, Understanding Autism, Building Community,” resonates deeply with the recent, heartbreaking events that have impacted Belizean communities.

One of those events being the tragic loss of little Gabriel, an autistic and non-verbal 6-year-old. Little Gabriel drowned in Belize City in February after leaving school grounds unnoticed. His death left a deep scar in Belize and made the need for awareness and action even more urgent.

In an interview with Christy Almeida, the founder of Autism Belize, she said, “Having this month, where we can focus on education, on getting the general public to be a little bit more aware, a little bit kinder, a little bit more accepting, there is such a need for that.”

She added, “I think that’s part of why this theme this month—building community—is so important. Life loss… it’s hard. The country felt it tremendously this year… It’s time to go back to the village where we look out for each other.”

“Even if it is just learning a little bit more about it… Let us build a community to protect our most vulnerable,” she said.

April is packed with events across Belize. One of the main features of the month is a series of walks and runs. Here’s where and when you can join:

• Caye Caulker – Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm, starting at the basketball court
• San Pedro – Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm
• San Ignacio/Santa Elena – Saturday, April 5, at 6:00 am, starting at Santa Elena Rotary Park
• Independence – Friday, April 11, at 9:00 am, starting at Independence Primary School
• Belmopan – Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 am, starting at the Governor-General Field
• Dangriga – Friday, April 4, at 5:30 am, starting at BTL Park
• Hopkins – Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 am, starting at the Hopkins Junction
• Belize City – Saturday, April 26, at 6:00 am, starting at BTL Park
• Corozal – Saturday, April 26, at 6:00 pm, starting at Town Hall
• Punta Gorda – Wednesday, April 30, at 9:00 am, starting at Central Park
• Orange Walk – Saturday, May 3, at 6:00 pm

As Almeida stated, these events serve as a reminder to all of us to approach each day with a little more kindness, awareness, and understanding. Whether it’s participating in a walk or simply learning more about autism, it’s about building a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.

“Even if it is just learning a little bit more about it… Let us build a community to protect our most vulnerable,” she added.