Almost Half of Australians Have Limited Understanding of Autism
Almost half (49%) of recently surveyed* Australians have limited to no understanding of autism and 33% do not know how to respond if someone tells them they are Autistic.
These statistics highlight the need to change perceptions and dispel myths about autism in order to create a more inclusive Australia. At Aspect, our Autistic Communications Working Group, which provides input and guidance on campaigns, has once again provided messaging and feedback on how we can better understand people on the autism spectrum, ahead of World Autism Understanding Day on 2 April 2025.
New resource packs and exclusive webinars
To acknowledge the day, we are once again supporting you, our Autistic community. This year, our resource packs have been expanded and tailored for organisations, the education sector, and for individuals so that others can learn more about autism and how to be more inclusive.
In both our organisation and school resource packs, we have created exclusive mini-webinars designed to help educators and corporates learn more about autism and changes they can incorporate in the classroom and workplace.
The webinars are condensed versions of our highly-sought after training, and perfect for staff meetings, professional development or organisation-wide events. Plus, organisations that purchase the Building an Autism-Friendly Workplace & Community will go into the running to win an Aspect Autism Friendly staff training session or environmental assessment valued at up to $3,000!* (Ts&Cs Apply)
The packs also include free information sheets, social media tiles, posters and more. The resources can be downloaded at aspect.org.au/waud.
Join the conversation and help us create a more inclusive Australia
On 19 March, we will launch our website and our TikTok platform (@aspectaus). Make sure to visit to learn more from this year’s Autistic advocates and parents of Autistic children. Their stories, videos and podcasts are encouraging. They inspire us all to be more inclusive, offering tips and advice on things a colleague or friend could say or do to be supportive, such as:
- “Take the time to listen and learn from me”
- “Create an environment where I can take down my mask and be my authentic self”.
- “Understand that I may be using strategies to cope with sensory overload, such as using headphones”.
Last year’s campaign achieved great success, reaching more than 4 million Australians in just a few days. But we need your help to reach even more people in 2025 by sharing the resources and information! Let’s work together to make Australia a more autism-friendly and inclusive place for everyone.
*YouGov Feb 2025
