Proclamation
April International Autism Acceptance Month
April 2nd International Autism Acceptance Day
April 2025
Whereas, The City of Manteca is committed to equal opportunity, equity, and inclusion for all residents. The autistic spectrum (AS) is one of fourteen and the most common neurological variants and/or neurodivergences (ND) that diversifies and strengthens the human experience, autism (AU) is best understood using the social model of disability; and Whereas, May 2014, the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM-5) allowed practitioners to provide a dual diagnosis for AU and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where the previous (DSM) publications held the two conditions mutually exclusive. Since 2014, it has been discovered that AU and ADHD have a significant biological overlap, where up to 89% of autistic persons also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, ADHD can occur without signs of AU, but AU always occurs with features of ADHD or other syndromes; and Whereas, Globally, the autistic population has unanimously agreed that the colour gold is to represent the autistic spectrum (AS) as the abbreviation for autism is AU as is the abbreviation for gold on the periodic table. Hereby the actually autistic community (AC) and ally’s recognizes and accepts the diversity and inclusion of all cultures, ethnicities, genders, and sexes into the spectrum. Moreover, the autistic population has unanimously decided that the symbol to represent the autistic population is that of the infinity loop (endless loop). The infinity loop was chosen as the expression of autistic traits can be limitless and to recognize that no two autistics are alike; and Whereas, Autistic traits can manifest in some of the following ways: hyper-empathic; hypo-empathetic; low eye contact; high eye contact; none-verbal; hyper-verbal; hyper-interception; hypo-interception. Forby, autistic people can have the former traits but does not mean that all autistic people have these traits nor to the same degree of expression, non-autistic (allistic) person (s) and neurotypical (NT) may also share these traits despite not being autistic; and Whereas, Currently within California, it is estimated that roughly 21.3% of autistic adults are either unemployed and/or underemployed even after obtaining post-secondary bachelors. However, autistic person (s) make dependable, loyal, and trustworthy co-workers, entrepreneurs, and partners for the following reasons: They are detail-oriented; strong error detectors; their ingenuity is unparalleled; they have a strong sense of fairness and social justice; are excellent problem-solvers, visual learners and thinkers, with a strong work ethic. More importantly, they follow a unique set of social rules, which means they often don't bully or judge others, nor get easily swayed by peer pressure, making the autistic community an untapped talent waiting to be accepted and utilized; and Now, Therefore, I, Gary Singh, Mayor of the City of Manteca, on behalf of City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of April as International Autism Acceptance Month & April 2nd International Autism Acceptance Day. Autism needs to be accepted not cured; autism is not a disease. Each person should have the opportunity to live a full, meaningful, and productive life without judgement.
DATE: April 1, 2025
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Mayor Gary Singh
Mayor Singh • Vice Mayor Halford • Councilmember Breitenbucher • Councilmember Lackey • Councilmember Morowit