Autistic Pride Day is observed each year on June 18 to respect the rights of people with autism. Autistic people are often subject to human rights violations, discrimination and stigma. This day and World Day for Autism Awareness are marked to stop such discrimination.
Autism begins during childhood and tends to persist into adolescence and adulthood. It refers to a neurological developmental disability that affects the processing of information in the brain. It also affects communication and the ability to interact socially. The causes of this disorder are not fully understood and the effect it has on people varies, as its symptoms and characteristics appear in a variety of combinations.
The first Autistic Pride Day was celebrated in Brazil in the year 2005. The day was hosted by an organisation named Aspies for Freedom (AFF). The people who started this were autistic themselves. This day is represented by a rainbow infinity symbol that signifies the diversity of autistic people and the infinite possibilities and variations within the autistic community.