World Autism Awareness Day 2025: 20:30 or 2030, Let’s Be Proud to Be Different, Matey!

27 March 2025

Each year, on 2nd April, the world takes a moment to acknowledge World Autism Awareness Day, a day dedicated not just to understanding autism but to fostering genuine acceptance and full inclusion. When the United Nations established this day in 2007, it wasn’t just ticking a box on the inclusivity agenda—it was a call for society to reshape its thinking, break down barriers, and recognise the immense value autistic individuals bring to every field and every community. 

Autism is not a single, one-size-fits-all experience. It is not just a medical label, a list of symptoms, or something that needs to be “overcome.” Autism is a unique way of perceiving, interacting with, and understanding the world—one that is just as valid as any other. And yet, for too long, society has tried to squeeze autistic individuals into a neurotypical framework, expecting them to adjust, rather than recognising the need to change the framework itself. 

For many, World Autism Awareness Day is deeply personal. It is a day that speaks to the struggles of being misunderstood, the challenges of finding acceptance, and the triumph of finally being seen for who you are. It is a reminder that autistic individuals should not have to prove their worth to a society that should already recognise it. 

If Absolutely Fabulous’s Eddy Monsoon were leading the movement, she’d be waving her arms, shouting, “Awareness, darling? Awareness? What about actual change? You can’t run a society on empty gestures, sweetie!” And she’d have a point—awareness is only the start; the real goal is meaningful action. 

 

The 20:30 Analogy: Seeing Autism Through a New Lens 

If we want to shift how society understands autism, we need to change perspectives—which brings us to the 2030 vs. 20:30 analogy. 

At first glance, 2030 is a year, positioned neatly between 2000 and 2100—a structured, predictable point in time. This is how society has historically viewed autism—through a static, rigid framework that focuses on challenges and deficits rather than adaptability and strengths. 

But if you shift your perception, suddenly 20:30 is no longer a year—it’s a time on a clock, nestled between 20:00 and 21:00. The numbers are identical, but their meaning has changed entirely. 

Autism is that colon (”:”) in 20:30—it doesn’t change reality itself, but it fundamentally transforms how we experience and interpret the world. Autistic individuals process information differently, often with heightened abilities in pattern recognition, problem-solving, creativity, and focus. These strengths are frequently overlooked simply because society remains stuck in “2030 thinking”, unable to embrace alternative ways of being. 

If Patsy Stone were listening to someone trying to force autistic people into a one-size-fits-all mold, she’d probably take a long drag on her cigarette, exhale dramatically, and sigh, “Oh, darling, don’t be so limited. Expand your horizons, sweetie!” 

 

Stories of Strength: Breaking the Autism Stereotype 

Too often, autism is framed in terms of struggles rather than successes. But the reality is, autistic individuals have been shaping industries, arts, sciences, and sports for years. 

Lucy Bronze, the England and Chelsea footballer, has spoken about how her autism and ADHD give her an analytical edge and heightened focus, allowing her to excel on the pitch. Diagnosed in 2021, she realised that her ability to hyper-focus, adapt, and thrive under pressure has been one of the driving forces behind her successful career, which includes winning the Women’s Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final in 2023. She is now an advocate for the National Autistic Society, working to increase awareness of autism in sports. 

Bella Ramsey, the celebrated actor known for The Last of Us and Game of Thrones, discovered their autism diagnosis later in life. They described the experience as “freeing,” helping them understand why they process emotions and social interactions differently. Their autism has played a key role in their ability to observe human behavior and bring depth to their performances, proving that neurodivergence is an asset in creative industries. 

Temple Grandin, one of the most well-known autistic advocates, revolutionised livestock handling through her ability to visualise systems in a way neurotypical individuals couldn’t. Despite facing discrimination and skepticism, she became a professor, author, and global speaker, proving that autistic minds can drive innovation and reshape entire industries. 

And then there’s Ayush Mukherjee—and I hesitated before adding my name to this list. But if we want to normalise autism, then we must celebrate all autistic successes, not just the famous ones. I remember sitting in my autism induction at Queen Mary University of London, unsure whether I’d fit into law school. Yet, by embracing my autistic strengths—my structured thinking, attention to detail, and analytical skills—I won the ALSA National Moot Court Competition, reached the semi-finals of the George Hinde Moot Competition, and achieved a First-Class grade in Legal Skills. 

These achievements shouldn’t be viewed as extraordinary—they should be expected. World Autism Awareness Day is about making sure stories like these become the norm, not the exception. 

And if Bubble, Eddy’s quirky assistant, had anything to say about it, she’d probably exclaim, “Oh! Oh! That’s brilliant! Let’s throw a party and make a proper fuss about it!” And honestly? Why not? 

 

Final Thoughts: A Future Built on Inclusion 

As we look ahead to 2030 and beyond, our goal should not just be awareness—it should be a world where autistic individuals lead, innovate, and thrive without barriers. 

It’s time to shift from “2030 thinking” to “20:30 thinking”, from mere awareness to true action, from basic accommodation to full appreciation. 

And on that note, I have used Absolutely Fabulous references throughout this blog because, quite simply, autistic people are Absolutely Fabulous. Just like the colon in 20:30, Ab Fab holds a unique place in how I see the world—it is sharp, chaotic, hilarious, and completely unapologetic in its difference. That’s what autism should be celebrated for too: not fitting into convention but redefining it entirely. 

If Eddy and Patsy were planning the ultimate celebration for World Autism Awareness Day, you can be sure there would be fireworks, champagne, and a complete refusal to tone things down for anyone else’s comfort. 

Because whether it is 2030 or 20:30, a year or a time on the clock, a challenge or an opportunity—it all depends on how we choose to see it. 

This World Autism Awareness Day, let’s make that shift—and let’s make it fabulous. 

 

By Ayush Mukherjee, QMLAC Blog Project Student Writer and 1st Year LLB student.