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White House Recognition of Autism Awareness Day Draws Mixed Results

On Sunday night, the White House lit up blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day, April 2.

“On World Autism Awareness Day, we highlight the importance of addressing the causes and improving the treatments for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs),” President Trump said in a statement. “We also recognize the importance of identifying ASDs early in a child’s life and of understanding the obstacles faced by people living on the autism spectrum.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, Sean Spicer, the White House’s press secretary, said Trump lit the White House blue as a promise to Suzanne Wright, the late wife of his friend Bob Wright, both of whom cofounded Autism Speaks.

Following Trump’s tweet about the White House’s color change, some tweeted the President applauding him for acknowledging autism.

Others were not impressed by the White House’s tribute.

Paul Ryan received a similar reaction after he tweeted a photo of himself wearing a blue puzzle piece pin.

Criticism of both Trump and Ryan comes following their support of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would have repealed the Affordable Care Act and limited Medicaid and services for people on the autism spectrum.

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