Autism Sunday – February 14, 2027

Expected Autism Sunday Deals

As a cause-driven observance, Autism Sunday focuses on fundraising and awareness rather than commercial deals. Many non-profit organizations, such as Autism Speaks, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), and the National Autism Association (NAA), will host virtual or in-person events, donation drives, and educational campaigns. Corporate partners often support these initiatives through matching gift programs, product sales with a portion of proceeds donated, or by sponsoring community walks and runs. Look for brands like LEGO, known for its inclusive play initiatives, and Starbucks, which champions inclusive hiring practices, to highlight their support for the autism community. We encourage direct donations to reputable autism advocacy and support organizations. We will update this page with confirmed live opportunities to support the cause as February approaches.

History of Autism Sunday

Autism is a developmental disorder often noticed within the first three years of a child’s life. It affects millions of people worldwide and often creates a social stigma towards patients and parents or caregivers.

Autism dates back to the 1700s, with the first well-documented cases being that of Hugh Blair of Borgue in 1747 and the Wild Boy of Aveyron in 1798. Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the word autism in 1910 while defining symptoms of schizophrenia. Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital first used it in modern terms in the systematic description of early infantile autism in a 1943 report of 11 children with striking behavioral similarities.

Up until the 1980s, autism was not differentiated from other mental and developmental disorders such as Asperger syndrome and childhood Schizophrenia. In 1980, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (D.S.M.) differentiated autism from childhood schizophrenia in the D.S.M.-III. The D.S.M.-III-R provided a checklist for diagnosing autism in 1987. In May 2013, the DSM-5 was released, which grouped disorders, including P.DD.-NOS, autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, and CDD, into the general term of Autism Spectrum Disorders, with the two categories being impaired social communication and restricted repetitive behaviors.

Ivan and Charika Corea initiated Autism Sunday. Their child, Charin, has autism spectrum disorder and a communication disorder. They are also the founders of the Autism Awareness Campaign U.K. and urged leaders of religious organizations and world leaders around the globe to speak up for people with autism spectrum disorders. The first service for autism was held in February 2002 at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and has since been observed annually on the second Sunday of February.