Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month 2026
April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to promote understanding, celebrate neurodiversity, and support.png)
environments where people with autism feel valued and included.
We’re recognising the month with a campaign focused on supporting communication and belonging – highlighting how AAC can help autistic individuals express themselves, participate in everyday life, and connect with the people around them.
Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing stories, resources, and insights to support families, professionals, and communities in understanding the important role AAC can play in communication, independence, and inclusion.
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong form of neurodivergence that affects how people experience and interact with the world around them. It can affect communication, social interaction, sensory processing and ways of thinking.
Autism presents differently for everyone. Some autistic people communicate through speech, while others use a combination of communication methods including AAC, gesture, symbols, writing, or other tools.
Globally, it is estimated that around 1 in 100 people are autistic (WHO). Research also shows that autistic individuals are more likely to experience challenges related to mental health, employment and social participation – often not because of autism itself, but because environments and systems are not always designed with neurodiversity in mind. Creating inclusive communities helps ensure everyone can participate and feel supported.
How AAC can support communication
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) includes tools and strategies that support people to communicate.
For some autistic people, AAC can help by:
- Providing visual supports for language and communication.
- Supporting expressive communication and decision-making.
- Reducing frustration when communication is difficult.
- Helping individuals participate more fully in everyday activities.
- Supporting confidence and independence.
AAC does not replace speech. Instead, it provides additional ways to communicate, helping people share their ideas, feelings, and personality in ways that work best for them.
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“I want people to know that communication comes in many forms. For me, it’s Makaton and my Grid Pad 10s, but for others, it might be something different. It’s not about the method; it’s about connecting with the world around you. Whether I’m sharing a joke with a friend, navigating a dating app, or giving input in a work meeting, AAC gives me the freedom to express myself fully. Honestly, I’m just like anyone else – living my life, laughing, learning, and embracing all the little moments.”
Alex, Grid user living with autism and epilepsy
How we’re celebrating Autism Acceptance Month
Throughout April, we’ll be sharing a range of stories and resources across our channels to celebrate communication and support understanding of AAC.
50% off Grid for iPad – making AAC more accessible
To help make AAC more accessible, we’re offering 50% off Grid
Grid for iPad includes a range of symbol and text-based vocabularies designed to support communication for people with different abilities and communication needs. This limited-time offer gives families and individuals an opportunity to explore AAC and discover new ways to communicate.
Sharing user stories
Hearing lived experience is one of the most powerful ways to understand how AAC supports lives. As part of this campaign, we’ll be spotlighting Asher’s story, showing how AAC supports his communication, confidence and independence.
Practical strategies for supporting communication
Throughout the month, we’ll also be sharing practical insights to help communication partners feel more confident supporting AAC.
Our Clinical AAC Specialists Becky and Ailsa will explore AAC and neurodiversity, highlighting why a one-size-fits-one approach is important when supporting communication. They will discuss the role of modelling without demand, supporting self-regulation through communication, and how flexible grid sets and features in Grid can help ensure AAC systems reflect the changing needs of the person using them.
Our Product Manager for Education, Kim, will also be sharing a new blog exploring how Symoji can support communication in the classroom. Symoji is a playful, animated grid set available in Grid that helps AAC users express emotions, reactions, and ideas quickly during conversations.
Promoting acceptance and understanding
Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity to celebrate different ways of communicating and to continue building environments where everyone’s voice is valued.
By sharing stories, guidance and practical resources, we hope to support more families, professionals and communities in exploring AAC and discovering new ways to connect and communicate.
Follow along throughout April as we share more stories and insights across our channels.
