Celebrate World Autism Awareness This April
There is no better way to celebrate this day than by becoming aware of the characteristics of people with this condition and other neurodivergent disorders and how all of us can do better to increase our own understanding and promote kindness.
Want to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder or looking for resources for your loved one?
Check out the Autism Society of the Keys website: www.autismsocietyofthekeys.com
We are a non-profit organization whose goal is to help families affected by Autism.
Autism Society of the Keys
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
WHEN IS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 2023?
World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2. The day recognizes and spreads awareness for the rights of people with autism.
It’s awesome to be different! People with autism spectrum disorders can help to make a change in the world — all they need to be successful in treatment and support from their environment — just take people like Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein as an example.
Middle Grade and YA Books with Neurodivergent Characters
Neurodivergent characters are important for tweens and teens. It’s important for young readers with autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia and ADHD to see themselves represented in literature. And it’s just as important for neurotypical friends and family to see the world from their perspective.
These middle grade and young adult books feature neurodivergent characters. Some are written by neurodivergent authors, too.
Rose is so fascinated by homonyms that she gave her dog a name with two homonyms: Rain and Reign. When a storm hits, Rain goes missing, and Rose must set out to find her dog, even though her search disrupts her routines.
Catherine offers her autistic brother “rules” that other people know instinctively. But as much as she cares for him, she wants a less complicated life. When she tries to make new friends with a next door neighbor and a boy at her brother’s therapy clinic, she finds herself wondering about her own rules and what’s considered normal.
A tender and hopeful story! Nova is so excited for the launch of the Challenger space shuttle. She and her big sister love astronomy and plan to watch the launch together. But when Bridget disappears, Nova is placed in a foster home, and her new family doesn’t understand how intelligent and special she is. She holds out hope that she can still watch the Challenger launch with her big sister.
After years in foster care, 14-year-old Ginny, who has autism, is finally living with a family that loves her. But as her family prepares to welcome a new baby, she’s confronted with trauma from her past.
Lily stops taking her ADHD medication and finds herself in detention with Abelard, who has autism spectrum disorder. When Abelard posts a quote from an ancient love letter online, Lily realizes how much they have in common, and a romance begins to blossom.
Walter is amazing at finding things, but he often feels lonely because of his motor speech disorder. When an important item goes missing from his mother’s enchanted dessert shop, Walter sets out with his golden retriever to find it.
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow. This improbable story of Christopher’s quest to investigate the suspicious death of a neighborhood dog makes for one of the most captivating, unusual, and widely heralded novels in recent years.
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