In 1970, the Autism Society, the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, launched an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible. In 1972, the first annual National Autistic Children’s week was created, later evolving into Autism Acceptance Month (AAM).
The first Autism Acceptance Month celebrations were organized by Paula Durbin Westby in 2011, as a response to traditional “Autism Awareness” campaigns which some of the Autistic community found harmful and insufficient. To learn more about the philosophy behind the "Nothing About Us, Without Us!" campaign, please visit the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network.
Donald Triplett bears the distinction of being the first person to be identified in scientific literature with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Triplett died of cancer on June 15, 2023, in Forest, at age 89. Full bio. Photo Credit: "Donald Triplett" by Ylevental is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Daniel Edward Aykroyd, a Canadian-American actor, comedian, musician, businessman and filmmaker, was diagnosed with Tourette's and Asperger's Syndromes as a child. Full Bio. Photo Credit: Dan Aykroyd by Bernard Gotfryd (CC by PD)
Temple Grandin, a pioneer in research on livestock behavior, was diagnosed with autism at two and a half years old. Full bio. Photo Credit: Temple Grandin at a book signing at Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minnesota by Jonathunder. (CC: BY 1.2)
Scottish singer Susan Boyle, internationally recognized for performing "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Misérables on Britain's Got Talent, was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Full bio. Photo credit: Battle-of-the-divas-Susan-Boyle-pictured-in-New-York-this-week-will-go-up-against-Lady-Gaga-at-next-year's-Grammys-after-both-scoring-nominations-for-Best-Pop-Vocal-Album by Humberpike. (CC BY 2.0 DEED.) Note: Photo is cropped from original.
Actress Daryl Hannah, who was diagnosed with Autism as a child, is best known for her roles in Splash, Blade Runner, Steel Magnolias, and Roxanne. Full bio. Photo Credit: Daryl Hannah, actress and activist by World Travel & Tourism Counsel. (CC BY 2.0 DEED.)
Satoshi Tajiri, who has Asperger's Syndrome, combined his childhood passions of bug collecting and video games to create Pokémon, a world phenomena video game and franchise. Full bio. Photo Credit: He made Pokemon, TAJIRI Satoshi - 田尻智 by Miki Yoshihito. (CC BY 2.0 DEED.)
Courtney Love is a musician and actor, well-known for leading the band Hole. She has been open about her childhood autism diagnosis. Full bio. Photo credit: Life Ball 2014: Courtney Love on the red carpet on the square in front of the Rathaus by Manfred Werner - Tsui. (CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED.)
