World Autism Understanding Day (WAUD)

In 2007, the United Nations designated 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day, encouraging global efforts to promote autism awareness. Since then, this movement has evolved beyond awareness to actively fostering understanding, acceptance, appreciation, and inclusion—recognising the valuable contributions autistic individuals make to their communities and the world.

In recognition of this shift, many autism advocacy organisations now encourage referring to this day as World Autism Understanding Day (WAUD) to reflect a deeper commitment to inclusion and respect.

While language is important and individuals on the autism spectrum may identify in different ways, for this article, we will use Autistic to refer to those diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

Understanding autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. It is often characterised by differences in communication, social interactions, and sensory processing.

According to the 2022 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census:

• 290,990 Australians were identified as autistic, making up approximately 1.1% of the population (up from 0.8% in 2018).
• Autism is more commonly diagnosed in males than females, and prevalence decreases with age.
• 3.1% of people under 25 were identified as autistic, compared to 0.3% of those over 25.
• Employment rates for autistic individuals have improved, with 42.2% of autistic people aged 15 to 65 in employment (an increase from 27.3% in 2018).

Fostering autism understanding in the workplace

Creating an inclusive workplace benefits everyone. Here are some ways to increase autism understanding, as well as support available at ACU:

• Educate yourself and others – learn about autism from reputable sources and be open to understanding different perspectives.
• Promote clear and inclusive communication – provide written instructions, allow extra processing time, and use direct language.
• Be mindful of sensory sensitivities – reduce unnecessary noise, provide quiet spaces, and be flexible with lighting or seating arrangements.
• Support strengths and foster collaboration – work together with autistic colleagues to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Autistic individuals bring valuable skills such as attention to detail, deep focus, and creative problem-solving. Leveraging strengths can lead to greater success for individuals and teams alike.

By fostering understanding and inclusion, we help build a workplace where all individuals - regardless of neurodiversity - can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

Remember, ACU is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program and encourages staff to become champions.

Recently, we have also introduced low sensory retreat spaces across our campuses.

To find out more about equity and diversity and what ACU offers, check out the information on our Equity, diversity and inclusion website here.