Written by: Geetha Moorthy, CEO & Founder – SAAAC Autsim Centre

As we mark Autism Acceptance Day 2025, I am proud to stand with the SAAAC Autism Centre community in championing a message that has long been at the heart of our work: acceptance, not just awareness.

Autism Acceptance Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a call to action. It reminds us that autistic individuals deserve more than recognition; they deserve understanding, respect, and inclusion, and support that reflects who they are and where they come from. At SAAAC, this is our daily mission. We exist to make autism services equitable for all Canadians, especially for families navigating language, cultural, and financial barriers.

This year, we are thrilled to spotlight an initiative that carries the spirit of this mission.

Introducing Autism 101

This year, we’re proud to launch Autism 101: Fostering Acceptance through Autism Education, Language, and Culture—a free digital resource designed to meet families where they are, in the languages and stories that reflect who they are.

A booklet titled 'Autism 101' by the SAAAC Autism Centre rests on a textured surface, partially inside a dark folder. The cover features a minimalist illustration of a brain with yellow and white hemispheres, surrounded by orbit-like lines and yellow circles. The subtitle reads, 'An introductory guide to Autism for caregivers.

More than just a resource, Autism 101 is a movement toward belonging. It features:

  • Easy-to-understand videos and insights from experts
  • Experiences of caregivers
  • Multilingual content tailored to newcomer communities

This initiative shifts the focus from awareness to deep, meaningful acceptance. Acceptance means recognizing the value of neurodiversity and building a world where every autistic individual can thrive. Following the lead of autistic self-advocates and organizations, Autism 101 is a tool for inclusive education that affirms both identity and possibility.

Moving Beyond Awareness

At SAAAC, acceptance means creating tools that are accessible and rooted in community experiences. It means sharing knowledge in ways that are clear, compassionate, and inclusive.

And we’re just getting started. Our Multilingual Digital Resource Hub will continue to grow—expanding into more languages and deepening its content with autistic voices and lived experiences. It’s a living resource that evolves alongside the communities we serve.

Our Ongoing Commitment

From starting with adapted dance lessons in my home to now supporting over 1,000 families each year across Toronto, SAAAC’s growth has always been powered by community, compassion, and an unshakable belief in equity.

As we mark Autism Acceptance Day 2025, we recommit ourselves to breaking barriers—through education, innovation, and collaboration.

We invite our partners, supporters, and community to move with us—beyond awareness, and toward a future of action, advocacy, and belonging.

Explore and share our multilingual resources: www.saaac.org/autism