Domestic laws and national plans or strategies for the protection of the rights of people with autism: An appraisal

Abstract

The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex lifelong developmental disability which affects all aspects of individual’s life and impacts on several public sectors (education, health, welfare, justice and others). Autism covers a broad group of disorders that share core deficits but with a wide range of different degrees of disabilities and impairments. Currently, ASD is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States affecting 1 in every 68 children, while in the European Union (EU) it affects 1 in every 150 children. These factors have contributed to make ASD an issue of public interest which has an impact on policies and laws of several States. This paper focuses on the domestic laws and national plans or strategies adopted by the EU Member States to protect people with autism, in particular in the fields of education and employment. Legislative practices, which have been developed outside the EU, are also highlighted.