Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in St. Louis

April is Autism Acceptance Month — a time for embracing neurodiversity, celebrating autistic individuals, and helping our community in St. Louis show up in meaningful ways.

Below you’ll find local events, ways for families and businesses to participate, and ideas for how your household can mark the month in your own way.

🎉 Local Events to Look Out For

Here are a few St. Louis-area events specifically tailored to autism acceptance that you and your family may want to attend:

Six Flags St. Louis will host Low Sensory Sundays during April, with reduced noise levels, private character meet-and-greets, and support for guests with sensory sensitivities.
A community autism expo on April 5, 2025 (at the John T. Milliken Department of Medicine / IDEAS at DOM) highlights local resources, vendors, and awareness-raising activities.
Freddie Ford Family Foundation hosted an “80’s & 90’s Trivia Night for Autism” at the Jewish Community Center (St. Louis) on April 25, 2025 — a fun social-gathering style event to support autism families.

Tip: Always check dates and details each year, as events may shift or require pre-registration.

✅ Ways Families and Caregivers Can Participate

Here are ideas for how families can make the most of Autism Acceptance Month:

Attend an inclusive event — going to an expo, sensory-friendly outing, or theme-park day helps children feel seen and celebrated.
Host a home-celebration — Create a “celebration box” with blue decorations (as blue is often used for autism awareness/acceptance), sensory tools, and a discussion/activity about what makes your child unique.
Share a story — Encourage your child (if willing) to share one thing they love about themselves or one skill they’re proud of. Positive self-talk supports acceptance.
Support local businesses that are inclusive — Look for venues in St. Louis that advertise sensory-friendly accommodations and thank them for being accessible.
Link therapy and community — If your child is receiving professional services, such as in-home ABA therapy in St. Louis, consider coordinating an outing as part of generalizing their skills in the community. For example, talk to your therapist about which community event might be a positive outing check-in.
Volunteer your skills or time — If you have a hobby, skill, or simply time to spare, many local autism-support organizations welcome parent volunteers during April events.
Educate and advocate — Use this month to learn more about autism acceptance (not just awareness). Talk to neighbors, siblings, friends about what inclusion really means.

🤝 Ways for Local Businesses & Organizations to Participate

If you run a business or organization in St. Louis, here are ways to show support:

Promote a sensory-friendly hour or event in April (reduced lighting, sound, visuals) to welcome families with children on the autism spectrum.
Offer a discount or free admission to families affected by autism during the month.
Share educational materials in your reception area (about inclusion, sensory needs, what customers or employees can do).
Partner with a local provider of in-home ABA therapy in St. Louis, such as Bright Arch ABA, to offer consultations or resource fairs for families.
Highlight autism acceptance in your branding for the month (e.g., featured blog post, email newsletter, social-media shout-out) and use inclusive imagery.

🗓️ How to Build Your Own April Calendar

Here’s a simple suggested calendar to build momentum:

Week 1 (April 1-7): Attend an event or plan a sensory-friendly visit (e.g., Six Flags Low Sensory Sunday).
Week 2: Host a family discussion—“What acceptance means to me” + highlight one strength of your child.
Week 3: Volunteer or participate in a local expo/resource-fair.
Week 4: Choose one new community outing or business spot that’s inclusive, and reflect with your child on how it felt.
Bonus: Create a “My Neurodiversity Celebration” story board or scrapbook with your child documenting their favorite things and successes over the month.

🎯 Why Autism Acceptance Matters

While many are familiar with Autism Awareness (observed annually), the shift to Autism Acceptance emphasizes inclusion, respect, and understanding.

According to Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), autism acceptance means recognizing autistic people as full members of society with strengths, agency, and contribution—not just subjects of observation.

By participating in April’s events and conversations, families and communities help foster environments where autistic children and teens feel accepted, supported, and empowered.

📝 Final Words

Autism Acceptance Month in St. Louis is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, learn, connect, and make space for inclusion and joy. Whether you attend an event, host a home-celebration, or collaborate with support services, the month offers many ways to show your child — and the broader community — that they are valued.

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