World Autism Awareness Day is April 2 and every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events. How will you celebrate World Autism Awareness Day?  Find out how you can get involved, events happening in April in both the Outaouais and Ottawa, as well as some online & community resources.

Here’s how you can get involved in #LightItUpBlue:

• Join the thousands of people across the world who wear blue in honor of the millions of individuals and families affected by autism.
• While you’re wearing blue, don’t forget to take a selfie and post it using #LightItUpBlue!
• Turn your Social Media Profile Blue.
• Take the How Much Do you Know About People with Autism Quiz
• Share some #LightItUpBlue posters, flyers, counter cards and more with friends, family and the community.

Events in the Outaouais area:

• Trait d’Union Outaouais (TUOI) is hosting various activities throughout the week, find it on their activities calendar (French only calendar).  Their annual Walk for Autism will take place on Saturday, April 27  to raise funds for their Specialized Day Camps.

Events In Ottawa:

• Just across the river, Ottawa will take part in the Autism Ontario Raise the Flag Ceremony at City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West. on April 4 at 12:00 pm.
• Autism Speaks Canada Walk takes place on Sunday, June 2 in Ottawa at the Bell Sensplex from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Online & Community Resources:

• Connexions’ online Community Resource Directory for families with children, youth and adults with special needs.
• Connexions’ Parent Chat Support Group and Resources Shared during past events.
• Autism Speaks Canada’s Connect includes a service directory, online resources, community interest groups & mentors, and more.
• The Mental Health Caregiver Guide is a FREE guide that contains helpful tips, tools, and information for caregivers.  The purpose of this guide is to help you care for yourself and your own mental health while recognizing the responsibilities you have caring for someone else.
• The Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs is an essential reference for who does what in the Québec school system, what to expect when your child starts school, and what happens during transition periods.
• The Autism Speaks Advocacy Tool Kit is a 45-page document includes seven chapters written by either a professional or a parent with expertise in the subject. The chapters address the ABCs of Basic Advocacy and Negotiation Skills, Learning the Skills, School Advocacy, Autism Advocacy in the Community, Community Advocacy, Learning the Language of Self-Advocacy and Resources.
• The Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of Young Children was created specifically for families of children ages 4 and under to make the best possible use of the 100 days following their child’s diagnosis of autism.
• The Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of School Age Children is a tool designed to help assist families of children between the ages of 5 and 13 recently diagnosed with autism during the critical period following an autism diagnosis.
• Find more Toolkits from Autism Speaks.