Autism Sunday2026 · Date · History · Messages
UK parliamentary material identifies Ivan and Charika Corea as founders and describes the event as growing since 2002; church-sector material supports the second-Sunday-in-February recurrence.
About Autism Sunday
Autism Sunday is a Christian day of prayer and autism awareness observed on the second Sunday in February.
It was founded by British autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea and has been marked by churches and communities in multiple countries.
Why Autism Sunday matters
The observance can be a setting for prayer, listening, practical inclusion and learning about barriers experienced by autistic people and their families.
Autistic people have diverse identities, communication styles, support needs and views about religion; no single observance speaks for everyone.
History of Autism Sunday
Ivan and Charika Corea founded Autism Sunday, which grew from their autism-awareness campaigning in the United Kingdom.
UK parliamentary records describe the event as having grown since 2002, and accounts of its early history place a first service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London during Autism Awareness Year.
The observance is now associated with the second Sunday in February.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Ivan Corea and Charika Corea
UK Parliament identifies Ivan and Charika Corea as the founders of Autism Sunday.
First documented observance
UK parliamentary material describes Ivan and Charika Corea as having grown the event since 2002.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
7 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe Autism Sunday
Ask autistic people and local disability advocates what makes a service or community event more accessible instead of assuming one format works for everyone.
Offer optional quiet space, clear schedules and lower-sensory participation choices where practical.
Use the day to learn from autistic-led and reputable disability resources, while avoiding stereotypes about communication, intelligence or support needs.
If you participate in prayer or worship, keep participation voluntary and respect people who do not share the same faith tradition.
Autism Sunday Facts
Autism Sunday is observed on the second Sunday in February.
Ivan and Charika Corea founded the observance.
The event has roots in UK autism-awareness campaigning and dates to 2002.
It is a Christian observance and should not be treated as representing every autistic person or every autism organization.
Autism Sunday Messages
On Autism Sunday, may awareness be matched by listening, access and respect.
Wishing communities a thoughtful Autism Sunday centered on dignity and genuine inclusion.
On Autism Sunday, listen first and make room for the many different ways autistic people experience community.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
UK Parliament Hansard — Autism Sunday Campaign (opens in a new tab)
Parliamentary Record
Ekklesia — Autism Sunday founders and recurrence (opens in a new tab)
Church Sector News
National Day Calendar — Autism Sunday recurrence (opens in a new tab)
Observance Calendar
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Autism Sunday?
Second Sunday of February (8 February in 2026) The documented recurrence rule is: Second Sunday in February.
Does Autism Sunday fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is Autism Sunday an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: International / Christian church autism-awareness observance founded by Ivan and Charika Corea. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Autism Sunday?
The documented basis is: UK parliamentary material identifies Ivan and Charika Corea as founders and describes the event as growing since 2002; church-sector material supports the second-Sunday-in-February recurrence.. Supporting evidence includes UK Parliament Hansard — Autism Sunday Campaign. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Autism Sunday international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: International / Christian church autism-awareness observance founded by Ivan and Charika Corea. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-21.
When is Autism Sunday?
It is observed on the second Sunday in February.
Who founded Autism Sunday?
British autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea founded the observance.
When did Autism Sunday begin?
Parliamentary and church-sector records trace the observance to 2002.
Does Autism Sunday represent every autistic person?
No. It is a Christian awareness and prayer observance, and autistic people have diverse beliefs, experiences and views.
Other observances on February 14
These observances are also listed on February 14, 2027.
Arizona Statehood Day
The State of Arizona Research Library’s Arizona Memory Project identifies February 14, 1912 as Arizona Statehood Day and records Arizona becoming the 48th state that day. This guide treats…
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
New Hampshire law directs the governor to proclaim February 14 each year as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day; HeartKids Australia also uses February 14 as CHD Awareness Day.
Have a Heart Day
The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society states that Have a Heart Day has been marked each year on 14 February since 2012 to support equitable opportunities for First Nations childre…
International Book Giving Day
The Children’s Book Council describes International Book Giving Day as a volunteer initiative that takes place each year on 14 February.
League of Women Voters founding anniversary
League of Women Voters first-party history establishes Carrie Chapman Catt’s 1919 proposal and formal organization of the national League in Chicago on 14 February 1920. The organization co…
Library Lovers’ Day
ALIA verifies February 14 annually, inception in 2006 by the State Library of New South Wales and current ALIA promotion/support with local library adaptation.