April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day.

In 2008, The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day – many countries around the world light up their landmarks blue to help increase understanding and acceptance of people with Autism. In 2012, the Canadian Parliament passed the World Autism Awareness Day Act recognizing April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.

Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world, light blue in support of building a kinder and more inclusive world for people with autism.

Deborah and James Dykstra are the parents of two children who have been diagnosed with autism. Today they share with us what autism is and why it's important to celebrate and recognize people living with autism.