April Awareness Months
By Melissa Weng ’27, Staff Writer; Edited by Kat Willson, Editor-in-Chief
April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
Since 2007 April 2 has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as World Autism Awareness Day. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition in which affected individuals face persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviour. Typically diagnosed in early childhood, about 1 in 31 children aged 8 years has been identified with ASD. Though it is a lifelong condition, the necessary support varies from person to person. In recent years, more programs and services like the Ontario Autism Program and School Support Program have been instituted to provide support to children with autism. For 2025, the theme for World Autism Awareness Day is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS)”. This theme brings attention to how having inclusive policies and practices can inspire the contribution of autistic individuals in achieving the SDGS.
April 11 – World Parkinson’s Awareness Day
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder that affects the nervous system. The symptoms of Parkinson’s start slowly. First, it may be a small hand, foot, or jaw tremor. Aside from tremors, the disease also causes stiffness, slow movements, and lack of balance. This then progresses into being unable to move facial muscles, stiff arms when walking, and slurred speech. Over time, these symptoms get worse. There is no cure for Parkinson’s, and the specific causes are unknown. However, there are some factors that may help to protect against it, including exercise, specific medicines, and intake of caffeine.
April 17 – World Hemophilia Day
Hemophilia is a rare, typically genetic disorder in which an individual has a deficiency in blood-clotting proteins. This causes them to bleed longer after an injury in comparison to the average person. Though small cuts are annoying, the largest problems usually come from bleeding inside the body, which could cause damage to tissues and organs, as well as be fatal. Hemophilia can be treated by regularly replacing the blood-clotting proteins, thereby balancing the deficiency. The theme for World Hemophilia Day 2025 is “Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too”. Even with new knowledge and treatments regarding hemophilia, many women and girls with bleeding disorders face challenges living with hemophilia. This theme addresses several key issues, such as how many women and girls with bleeding disorders go undiagnosed or experience delays in diagnosis due to misconceptions and a lack of knowledge about the prevalence of bleeding disorders in females.
