in effect
This is a presidential proclamation (Proclamation 10909, signed April 1, 2025) — a ceremonial, symbolic declaration rather than a law or regulation. It formally designates April 2, 2025 as World Autism Awareness Day and calls on Americans to learn about autism, improve early diagnosis, and support people with autism and their families.
The proclamation creates no new law, program, funding, or legal requirement; its operative effect is naming the observance day and issuing a public call to action. It states that autism now affects 1 in 36 children in the U.S., which it describes as a large increase from the 1980s figure of 1 to 4 per 10,000 individuals. It references a “Make America Healthy Again Commission,” described in the document as created by the President to investigate root causes of childhood health conditions including autism, and says the Administration is “prioritizing gold-standard research and increasing transparency.” It emphasizes early detection and timely intervention as ways to improve long-term outcomes. No deadlines, dollar amounts, or enforcement mechanisms are specified.
The proclamation addresses all Americans, whom it asks to learn about the signs of autism and to support people with autism spectrum disorder and their families. It specifically references people living with autism, along with their families, friends, and communities. Because it is a symbolic observance rather than a binding directive, no group is placed under any new obligation or granted any new benefit by the document itself.