Wrapping Up World Autism Month 2024: A Month of Igniting Change!

This April, we recognised World Autism Month – kicking things off with World Autism Day and the start of World Autism Week on Tuesday the 2nd of April.
The month was all about getting to know the people who make up our wonderful community and acknowledging the strengths, achievements, and uniqueness of people on the Autism spectrum. There were so many ways to get involved, from visiting the landmarks on our biggest ever Light Up the Spectrum trail to sharing activities on social media and hosting fundraising events to ignite change. We were excited to see how much was happening in the community, and thank each and every person who recognised World Autism Day, World Autism Week, and World Autism Month with us.
Let’s take a tour through the highlights of the month!
Light Up the Spectrum Trail and Competition
World Autism Day saw our biggest ever Light Up the Spectrum trail turn landmarks across metro and regional WA red, green, and every colour in between! We partnered with over 40 locations around Perth and beyond – including Esperance, Karratha, and Margaret River – to light up the State in a spectrum of colour.
To get the community involved, we created a trail map to follow and encouraged everyone to enter our Light Up competition by sharing their snaps on social media. Participants went into the draw to win a double pass to a Fremantle Dockers home game, plus vouchers for Karrinyup Shopping Centre and to purchase sensory toys. Keep an eye on our socials to see our upcoming winner announcement.
A big thank you goes out to everyone who took part and spent the night taking in the sights; and to all participating locations, because we wouldn’t have had such a wonderful night without you lighting up to ignite change.
Check out a snapshot of the trail in our colourful compilation video below.
Music Appreciation Gift
Aiming to support aspiring musicians as part of Autism Month, our Inaugural Music Appreciation Gift consisted of monetary prizes to contribute to buying a musical instrument or paying for music/singing lessons. We had a range of music gifts on offer for individuals up to 18 years of age who receive Association services, based on their answers to the question “What does music mean to you and what would you do with this gift?”.
Congratulations to all of our entrants and prize winners – we saw so much passion for music come through this competition.
Finish the Sentence: What I Wish People Knew About Autism
During April, we asked the community to finish the following sentence on our socials: “What I wish people knew about Autism so we can learn and grow together is…”.
Here are some of the responses we received:
Community Events
Our community partners hosted a range of inclusive and sensory-friendly events throughout Autism Month. Find out more about the activities and see them in action below!
Scitech Sensory Session
On Saturday the 6th of April an amazing turnout of 120 science enthusiasts joined us for our Scitech Sensory Session. Families and individuals of all ages were able to explore the Scitech Science Centre and Science Theatre Show, enjoying special after-hours access and experiencing the low-sensory adaptations at their leisure.
Quiet Tuesday at AGWA
This event was hosted in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) on the 9th of April. The gallery was closed to the public, allowing budding artists aged 4-11 to tour the current exhibitions on display in a calmer environment. The children were also supported by Association staff and AGWA Gallery Guides to take part in their own art activity using evaporating water.
Dads Autism Connect Movie Afternoon
The Backlot Perth played host to our latest Dads Autism Connect event on Saturday the 13th of April: a special screening of the high-flying animated adventure Migration. Supported by Assocation staff, attendees were able to enjoy the movie with low-sensory adaptations, complementary snacks, and lots of laughter!
Thank you to Scitech, AGWA, and The Backlot for partnering with us to run these events.
School and Business Events, Activities, and Fundraising
Schools from across the State acknowledged World Autism Month by brightening up their classrooms with the colours of the spectrum, downloading our Autism Month resources, displaying our posters and using other material from their school packs – sent out to an array of WA schools – and hosting free dress days. Cyril Jackson Senior Campus Education Support Centre encouraged their students to wear the brightest colours they could find in their wardrobe!
Adults also got in on the action, with staff from WA businesses dressing up for the occasion. City of Canning Councillor Paul Tucek and his office staff looked brilliant in different shades of blue.
It was fantastic to see a number of fundraising events and activities taking place during April. Local businesses, schools, education centres, gyms, and individuals were among those fundraising to ignite change through bake sales, gym challenges and much more.
Check out the photos below to see some moments from these great initiatives, including Cyril Jackson Senior Campus Education Support Centre’s Jellybean Jar Guessing Game and Bayswater-based Panoramic Gym’s epic bootcamp and row challenge. Panoramic covered a distance of 21km on their rowing machine thanks to a dedicated group of members and a few four-legged friends, raising over $2000. Go team!
Thank you to everyone who organised or contributed to an Autism Month fundraiser – your support is greatly appreciated.
Association Activities
Our staff got involved in Autism Month with enthusiasm, hosting morning teas, creating interactive activities, and holding dress up days of their own! Individuals and families were also welcomed to all of our hubs with some colourful Autism Month displays throughout April.
If you are yet to share your Autism Month moments with us, it’s not too late – tag us on social media, or send your photos and stories to Communications@autism.org.au.
What’s Next?
Keep up to date with Association news and events by visiting our website and social platforms.