Celebrate The Spectrum this World Autism Day, April 2nd!

Celebrate the Spectrum this World Autism Day!

Celebrate the Spectrum is an opportunity for positive action to provide spaces of support and advocacy for our diverse communities — while learning about autism and how we can all make our communities better and more inclusive places for autistic people.

Each April, people from across Ontario come together to show their support for autistic people. Join the fun and Celebrate the Spectrum with us on World Autism Day on April 2 and throughout the month of April.

Why Tie-Dye?

The tie-dye concept symbolizes the individuality of all autistic individuals, just as each shirt is one-of-a-kind, so too is every person on the autism spectrum. This is another way to bring the community together to show their support for the autistic community. This led to our slogan for the campaign “Endless Possibilities in Every Pattern”!

What About Colours?

We celebrate World Autism Day using the colours red, blue, and green.

Red symbolizes the unique journeys of navigating an autism diagnosis — love, determination, courage and relief, as well as the urgency to take action and advocate for meaningful change.

Blue represents hope, resilience, and the power of support. It also reflects the acceptance, trust, and understanding that help autistic individuals and their families thrive.

Green signifies growth, vibrancy, and living one’s best life, highlighting the opportunities that come with acceptance and inclusion.

What's happening on World Autism Day across Ontario?

Map of Ontario with regions in different colours

Across the province, municipalities big and small, are flying flags for our “Celebrate the Spectrum - World Autism Day” campaign. An excellent opportunity for municipalities to show their support to autistic individuals across Ontario, we are forever grateful for the 160+ municipalities who are recognizing World Autism Day through flag raisings, proclamations and illuminations!

Get involved in your community -- join us at one of our flag raisings on April 2nd!

South Region

Fort Erie, 9:00 AM, Town Office, 1 Municipal Centre Drive, Fort Erie

Welland, 9:00 AM, Welland Civic Square, 60 East Main St., Welland

Brantford, 10:00 AM, Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie St., Brantford

Township of Wainfleet, 10:00 AM, Township Office, 31940 Highway 3, Wainfleet

Thorold, 10:00 AM, City Hall, 3540 Schmon Pkwy, Thorold

West Lincoln, 11:00 AM, Community Centre, 177 West Street, Smithville

Grimsby, 11:00 AM, Town Hall, 160 Livingston Avenue, Grimsby

St. Catharines, 11:30 AM, City Hall, 50 Church Street, St. Catharines

Pelham, 1:00 PM, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill

Lincoln, 2:00 PM, Town Hall, 4800 S. Service Rd., Beamsville

Niagara Falls, 2:00 PM, City Hall, Rosberg Flag Poles, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls

North Region

Sudbury, 10:00 AM, Tom Davies Square, 200 Brady St., Sudbury

Thunder Bay, 10:30 AM, City Hall, Thunder Bay

Bracebridge, 10:30 AM, Town of Bracebridge, 1000 Taylor Court, Bracebridge

North Bay, 11:00 AM, North Bay City Hall, Leger Square, 200 McIntyre St E, North Bay

Town of Muskoka Lakes, 11:00 AM, 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON

Gravenhurst, 11:30 AM, Town of Gravenhurst, 3-5 Pineridge Gate Gravenhurst

Sault Ste. Marie, 12:30 PM, Sault Ste. Marie Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie

Huntsville, 1:00 PM, Town Hall, 37 Main Street East, Huntsville

Central East

Town of Georgina, 8:30 AM, 26557 Civic Centre Road, Keswick

Whitby, 9:00 AM, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby

Oshawa, 9:30 AM, City Hall, 50 Centre St S., Oshawa

Penetanguishene, 9:30 AM, 10 Robert St. W., Penetanguishene

Tay Township, 9:30 AM, 450 Park Street, Victoria Harbour

Stouffville, 10:00 AM, community flagpole, at the Community Centre at 2 Park Drive, Stouffville

Township of Minden Hills, 10:00 AM, Township Office, 7 Milne Street, Minden

Midland, 10:30 AM, 575 Dominion Avenue, Midland (front steps of Midland Municipal Office)

Aurora, 11:00 AM, Town Hall, 100 John West Way, Aurora

Bradford/West Gwillimbury, 11:00 AM, Bradford/West Gwillimbury Court House, 57 Holland St E, Bradford/West Gwillimbury

Vaughan, 11:00 AM, City Hall, 2141 Major MacKenzie Drive West, Vaughan

Innisfil, 11:00 AM, Town Hall, 2101 Innisfil Beach Rd., Innisfil

Pickering, 11:00 AM, City Hall, 1 The Esplanade S, Pickering

Owen Sound, 11:30 AM, City Hall, 808 2nd Ave E, Owen Sound (Flag pole is South side of City Hall, right next to 8^th Street.)

Ajax, 12:30 PM, Pat Bayly Square, 55 Bayly St. W., Ajax

Barrie, 1:00 PM, City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie

Wasaga Beach, 1:30 PM, Town Office, 30 Lewis Street, Wasaga Beach

Municipality of Clarington, 3:30 PM, Veteran's Square, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville

Central West

Milton, 10:00 AM, Town Hall, 150 Mary Street, Milton

Burlington, 10:30 AM, Civic Square, City Hall, 426 Brant Street, Burlington

Mississauga, 10:30 AM, 300 City Centre Dr, Community flagpole located on the west side of Celebration Square, Mississauga

Caledon, 1:30 PM, Town Hall, 6311 Old Church Road, Caledon

Town of Halton Hills, 2:00 PM, Outside at Flagpole, 1 Halton Hills Drive, Halton Hills

East

City of Quinte-West, 9:00 AM, City Hall, 7 Cresswell Drive, Trenton

Belleville, 9:30 AM, Wellness Centre, 265 Cannifton Road, Belleville

Ottawa, 10:00 AM, City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa

Cornwall, 11:00 AM, Cornwall City Hall, 360 Pitt Street, Cornwall

Petawawa, 11:15 AM Town Hall, 1111 Victoria Street, Petawawa

West

Goderich, 9:00 AM, Town Hall, 57 West Street, Goderich

Kingsville, 9:30 AM, Town Hall, 2021 Division Road North, Kingsville

Aylmer, 11:00 AM, Town Hall, 46 Talbot Street, Aylmer

Amherstburg, 11:30 AM, Town Hall, 271 Sandwich Street, Amherstburg

Illuminating landmarks across the province to support World Autism Day

This World Autism Day, 28 municipal landmarks, notable signs, and buildings will be illuminated across the province to mark this special day. Below you will find the participating landmarks and community supporters:

South Region:

City of Niagara Falls – Canadian Horseshoe Falls & American Falls

County of Brant - Penman’s Falls

Town of Fort Erie (Buffalo & Fort Erie Bridge Authority) - The Peace Bridge

Hamilton - Hamilton Signature Sign

Toronto Region:

City of Toronto – Toronto 3D Sign

City of Toronto – CN Tower

City of Toronto – Airport – Toronto Pearson Airport Tower

Central East Region:

Newmarket – The Riverwalk Commons and the Fred A. Lundy Bridge

Owen Sound – Owen Sound City Hall

Municipality of Clarington – Town Hall

Aurora – Aurora Town Square (square portion only)

Municipality of Trent Mills – Clock Tower

Midland – Town Hall Garden Lighting

Barrie – The Heart Barrie Sign

Peterborough – City Hall

Northumberland County – Northumberland County Headquarters (the front of building)

Municipality of Meaford – Town Office

North Region:

Town of Kirkland Lake – Welcome Signs and the Miner’s Memorial

Town of Bracebridge – Bracebridge Falls

West Region:

City of London – London City Hall JA Taylor building (Canada Life and Sifton Properties on Dufferin follow same lighting schedule as City)

City of London – RBC Place London

Town of Tecumseh – Municipal Building

Municipality of West Perth – Welcome Sign + Fire Hall Lights

Central West Region:

Town of Oakville - Town Hall building

City of Brampton - City Hall Clock Tower

East Region:

Belleville – City Hall

Kingston – City Hall & Springer Market Square

City of Quinte West - Trenton

Group of students gathered around flagpole

Share your pictures and stories

This World Autism Day, as you are attending our events or out and about and spot one of our illuminations, be sure to take some pictures, and share with us!

Also, if you have some meaningful moments or want to share what Celebrate the Spectrum means to you, we would love to hear from you.

Connect with our Media Team at media@autismontario.com to share how Autism Ontario has made a difference in your life!

TAG US on our Provincial or Regional social media!

We love it when you tag us in your social media posts on both our provincial and regional social media!

Use the hashtag #CelebrateTheSpectrum and tag us so we can see your adventures on World Autism Day!

For more information on Celebrate the Spectrum:

Visit our website at www.celebratethespectrum.com for resources and toolkits to learn more about autism.

Or email us at fundraising@autismontario.com

Donate to Celebrate the Spectrum

1179 King Street West, Suite 004
Toronto, ON M6K 3C5

Toll Free: 1-800-472-7789, ext. 255

www.celebratethespectrum.com