In France, February 18 is dedicated to the National Day of Asperger’s Syndrome, which is part of autism spectrum disorders. Origin, date, lists of actions, how to support the “aspies”?
Every year, the day of February 18 is dedicated to Asperger Syndromeformerly called High Functioning Autism. In France, between 100,000 and 400,000 people have Asperger’s Syndrome. An often invisible disability. The objective of this day is to raise awareness and talk more broadly about this still poorly understood syndrome in order to improve the appropriate care of the people concerned, nicknamed “the aspies“. It should be noted that Asperger’s Syndrome is increasingly known to the general public with a highlight in television series and fiction, like the character of Sheldon Cooper in the series The Big Bang TheorySean Gardner in the series Atypical or Shaun Murphy in the series good doctor.
When is Asperger’s Syndrome Day?
National Asperger’s Syndrome Day is celebrated on February 18. And this date was not chosen by chance! February 18 corresponds to the Hans Asperger’s date of birthan Austrian psychiatrist who first described this syndrome in 1944. Not to be confused with the World Awareness Day Autism, which takes place on April 2.
Origin of National Asperger’s Syndrome Day
Since 2010, a group of associations called 4A for Alliance des associations pour les personnes Asperger, asks each year that a national day dedicated to Asperger’s Syndrome be created in France. After years of requests, this awareness day is finally created in 2014, supported by the office of Marie-Arlette Carlotti, former Minister Delegate for Disabled People and the Fight against Exclusion. It’s a french national day and not officially global. But in fact, it seems that in several countries, February 18 is also Asperger’s Syndrome Day (Mexico, Australia, etc.).
What is the purpose of National Asperger’s Syndrome Day?
February 18 is Asperger’s Syndrome Awareness Day. This means that it aims to highlight a syndrome that is not well known in France. So this is an opportunity”of raise awareness of Asperger’s Syndrome to a wide audiencewhich would thus allow, thanks to better information to the general public, to diagnose Asperger’s children as early as possibleto facilitate their integration and their care“, can we read on the Senate website. In fact, Asperger’s Syndrome is pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) which entered the international classification of diseases in 1993 then in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1994. The main manifestations of people with Asperger’s relate to social life, understanding and communication (difficulty understanding the codes of social interaction, difficulty integrating into our society…) while their intellectual abilities are normaleven above average.
Actions: What to do for National Asperger’s Syndrome Day?
► (Re)discover the conferences of the Aspie Days (videos on YouTube), a large exhibition organized by the Association of Asperger Nord Pas-de-Calais (l’Ass des As)
► Make a donation to associations dedicated to Asperger’s Syndrome (Our Little Prince Asperger, Action for Asperger’s Autism, Association of parents of Asperger’s children…)
► Participate in events (coffee-meetings, workshops, conferences, etc.) organized by theAssociation of Parents of Asperger’s Children
► Fight prejudices and stereotypes around Asperger’s Syndrome by talking about it around you, by posting messages on social networks…
What hashtag to use on social media?
If you want to show your support, you can use the official hashtag #NationalAsparagus Syndrome Day on social networks.
Sources: Questions from the National Assembly / Sénat.fr / Site of the Association for Awareness of Protection, Education and Research on Autism, and In particular Asperger’s Syndrome (ASPERANSA)