NPS Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month 2026

To bring acceptance to the unique perspectives of people with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder, the Norwalk Board of Education is proud to recognize April as National Autism Acceptance Month. 

April has widely been known as “Autism Awareness Month” in the United States as a way to empower autistic individuals and their families. Over the last few years, the autism community has shifted its language to “National Autism Acceptance Month” to match the growing need for acceptance within the community.

Norwalk Public Schools wants to thank Jeff Spahr, deputy corporation counsel for the City of Norwalk, for inviting members of the Norwalk Board of Education, the district’s Specialized Learning Department and NPS community to be a part of the worldwide “Light It Up Blue” campaign on the Norwalk Green on April 13.

We heard inspirational stories from people in our community living on the autism spectrum including Board member Nellie Cole. We also enjoyed a beautiful keyboard performance of The Beatles’ “Let It Be” by Norwalk Next Steps’ student Juan Quesada.

In the school community, Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity for schools to champion inclusion, celebrate diversity, and foster understanding of autism within their communities. It’s about more than acceptance. It’s about how you show up for your pupils and peers to create a school environment where every child feels valued, supported, and included.

Autism spectrum disorder and autism are both general terms for describing neuro-atypical brain development. Autism impacts social and communication skills. It exists in all races, ethnicities and social groups. Some 5.4 million American adults and 1 in 36 children have been diagnosed with autism. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. 

Early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development. Applied behavior analysis and therapies based on its principles are the most researched and commonly used behavioral interventions for autism. Many autistic individuals benefit from early interventions such as speech and occupational therapy. More recently, inclusive programming and support have shown significant promise as children are provided the opportunity to learn alongside their neuro-typical peers while receiving targeted and intense interventions. 

NPS provides students with a variety of support systems throughout the district including co-teaching classrooms, LEAP, high school programming and NPS Transition programs. The district is also working to install 10 new communication boards on school playgrounds that can help bridge the communication gap between non-speaking or minimally speaking individuals and their caregivers, teachers, and peers. 

By declaring April as Autism Acceptance Month, the Board of Education aims to foster acceptance to ignite change through improved support and opportunities for autistic individuals.