World Autism Awareness Day was established by a resolution of the UN General Assembly and has been celebrated annually on April 2 since 2008. On this day, many countries, including the Republic of Belarus, participate in the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, when the blue color in the lighting of buildings and clothing clearly demonstrates people’s involvement in this problem.

The increase in the number of children with autism spectrum disorders around the world inevitably makes autism one of the most pressing human development disorders in the 21st century.

If in 2002, 115 children with autism studied in the country’s educational institutions, then in the current year, there are 4,392 children.

Autism is characterized by deficits in social contact and communication, limited interests and repetitive and monotonous actions. It is still unknown what causes it. There are different theories, but none of them can fully explain the nature of this disorder. It is believed that these are just special children with a very creative beginning. They think and feel differently, they study the world differently.

The Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Natalya Kochanova, pays special attention to working with families in which a child with ASD is growing up: a special advisory council has been created under the Council of the Republic on issues of social adaptation and integration of children with special needs.

Under the leadership of Natalya Ivanovna, regular council meetings and meetings with specialists and parents of special children are held.

The experience of pedagogical work shows that the earliest possible inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders in the correctional educational process allows them to change their behavior and life prospects for the better. Children have the opportunity to study in various educational institutions, including special education institutions.

It is worth noting that institutions of learning create a special adaptive educational environment for this category of children. There are recreation areas (privacy corners), an individual workplace is designed, and the schedule, actions, and daily routine are visualized.

Also, when working with children with ASD, various methods of comprehensive medical-psychological-pedagogical correction, sensory integration, an alternative communication system using “PECS” cards, and the latest techniques and methods are used in a comprehensive manner.

Since 2016, at the initiative of the Ministry of Education, changes have been made to the qualification characteristics for job-searchers aiming at “preschool teacher” and “educator” careers, which made it possible to provide personal support in the educational process of a child with autism.

These specialists organize the child’s activities during the educational session, provide assistance in maintaining the daily routine and class schedule, provide individualization of the educational process, assist in the child’s performance of all types of tasks during the educational session, participate in the creation of an adaptive educational environment, organize the child’s interaction with peers, and exercise control and correction of behavioral disorders associated with autistic break ups.

The activities of the Roadmap for creating a national school for teaching and raising children with autism spectrum disorders in the Republic of Belarus for 2021–2025 are under the process of implementation.

Every year, on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, various educational events are held in preschool, general secondary, special education institutions, educational institutions implementing educational programs of vocational, secondary specialized and higher education in the republic.

The events are visited by children with autism and their parents, children without psychophysical developmental disabilities and their parents, teaching staff, college students, students of higher education institutions that train teachers.