World Autism Awareness Day aims to increase people's awareness about people, especially children, with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. These disorders are characterized by problems with communication and social interaction. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped interests or patterns of behavior.

The UN General Assembly had declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day so as to “highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society”.

The term autism first was used by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1908. He used it to describe a schizophrenic patient who had withdrawn into his own world.

This year, the theme is 'Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World'.

The study from the rural setting showed a pooled percentage prevalence of 0.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.20] in children aged 1-18 years; and, four studies conducted in the urban setting showed a pooled percentage prevalence of 0.09 (95% CI 0.02–0.16) in children aged 0-15 years.