In April 1970, the Autism Society held the first National Autism Awareness Month, “a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.”
Since then, the diagnosis rate of children with autism in the U.S. has grown from 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 59, the CDC reports, making it the fastest growing developmental disability in the world.
However, while it is sometimes categorized as a disability, many believe Autism can bring significant benefits along with its challenges, such as Nobel Prize winner and economist Vernon Smith. Read more about Smith, along with several other influential and successful individuals on the autism spectrum.