On the occasion of the International Day of Families, Autism-Europe reaffirms the essential role that families and carers play in the lives of autistic people, while also highlighting that autistic people themselves can be parents and family members, facing specific and often overlooked challenges that must be recognised and addressed across Europe.

Marked every year on 15 May, the International Day of Families was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 to reflect the importance of families as the basic unit of society and to promote awareness of issues relating to families.

Families remain the primary source of support for many autistic people throughout their lives. However, too often, this support comes at a significant personal, financial and social cost. Autism-Europe’s work on care highlights that families and carers frequently experience high levels of stress, reduced access to employment, and limited availability of quality support services.

Last year, Autism-Europe submitted a report to the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities on family care for autistic children and adults, drawing on survey data from our members across Europe. The findings show that over 85% of families reported that caregiving negatively impacted household income, and more than 70% said it had taken a toll on their physical or emotional health. Across Europe, gaps in community-based services and inclusive policies mean that families are still expected to fill systemic shortcomings, often without adequate recognition or support.

Recognising and supporting carers

Carers of autistic people — whether parents, siblings or extended family members — play a fundamental role. Yet, many carers face insufficient access to respite care, social protection, and tailored services. Women, who disproportionately take on caring responsibilities, are particularly affected by these structural inequalities. Our report found that 83% of informal carers surveyed were women, with mothers most frequently identified as the primary carer. Many were forced to reduce working hours, take lower-paid roles, or leave the workforce entirely, with lasting consequences for their pension rights and financial independence.

Autism-Europe calls for stronger investment in accessible, person-centred support systems that uphold the rights of autistic people and their families. This includes ensuring access to inclusive education, employment opportunities, and community-based services, as well as adequate financial and social protections for carers.

Autistic parents and the right to family life

This is precisely the gap that the BLUE HOUSES project, in which Autism-Europe is a partner, seeks to address. BLUE HOUSES is a three-year Erasmus+ initiative developing a comprehensive intervention model, a 60-hour specialised training course, and a multilingual digital platform for professionals working with autistic families. By training and equipping practitioners with the right tools, the project aims to promote the availability of adequate support for autistic parents.

The BLUE HOUSES Project was presented during a special edition of Autism-Europe’s Afternoon of Good Practice, a bimonthly online event for its members’ community, held on the eve of the International Day of Families. Autistic mothers from Ireland and Australia shared their lived experience and research data on how autistic parents can overcome barriers when interacting with their children’s schoolteachers, as well as youth, welfare, and healthcare providers. Other interventions focused on supporting immigrant parents in screening their autistic babies, local empowerment sessions for parents of autistic children, and community services for autistic families by members and partners of Autism-Europe.

At the same time, serious violations of fundamental rights persist. In some parts of Europe, autistic people and persons with disabilities continue to face restrictions on their legal capacity, interference in their reproductive rights, and, in some cases, forced sterilisation. According to a 2022 report by the European Disability Forum, at least 14 EU Member States still allow some forms of forced sterilisation of persons with disabilities in law. These practices are a clear breach of human rights and undermine the right to family life. Autism-Europe stands with the wider disability movement, including the EDF, in calling for an end to such violations and for the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

A call to action

Families should not have to compensate for inadequate systems. On this International Day of Families, Autism-Europe urges policymakers, service providers and society at large to:

• Invest in comprehensive, community-based care and support systems to support families in all their diversity;
• Recognise and support the vital role of families and carers;
• Ensure that autistic people can fully exercise their right to family life, including parenting;
• End discriminatory practices and uphold the rights and dignity of all persons with disabilities.

Autism-Europe held its Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Council of Administration (CA) on 9–10 May 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. The meetings brought together members from across Europe, both in person and online, to reflect on ongoing work and look ahead to the organisation’s future priorities.

Some of the key moments included discussions on AE’s 2026 work programme, progress on a major guidance publication on autism, and strategic exchanges on future initiatives, including EU-funded projects and policy priorities.

Looking back, planning ahead

On Saturday (9 May), around 65 participants took part in the AGA, where they reviewed AE’s activities and priorities. AE director Aurelie Baranger presented a report on the activities completed in 2025. Members then discussed the 2026 work programme, which sets out continued efforts to engage with EU institutions, in particular regarding the implementation of the next stage of the EU strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities. Members also heard updates on awareness-raising work, including the “Not invisible” campaign, as well as AE’s involvement in EU-funded projects benefitting autistic people and their families.

AE plans to create country-by-country reports to assess autistic people’s access to education and community support systems, healthcare and social protection. This will serve to inform decision-makers and the wider public. In an afternoon session, members discussed the methodology and potential issues of such a Europe-wide analysis.

The Compass project — an EU-funded initiative in which both AE and Hungarian member Mars Foundation are project partners — presented its work in training autistic people and their families to become advocates, in particular vis-à-vis legal systems and services.

Toward the end of the day, AE voted on membership applications from three organisations, all of which were accepted. These new associated members are Agios Vasileios Stevros and the

Hellenic Association for Asperger Syndrome (ΕΛΣΣΑ), both from Greece, as well as Djeca Svetlosti from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Members also voted on a new council of administration for Autism-Europe. You can find details about the council members here.

As always, the AGA also gave members the chance to exchange updates, share experiences, and strengthen cooperation across the network.

Advancing key initiatives

On Sunday (10 May), the CA continued the discussions, focusing on several strategic topics.

One of the central presentations of the day was on the updated edition of Autism-Europe’s guide People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Identification, Understanding, Intervention. This publication aims to bring together the latest research and offer an evidence‑based, rights‑based approach that supports families and professionals, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Members were updated on the progress made by an international team of experts—including autistic contributors—and on the ongoing consultation process with the autism community to ensure the guide is both accessible and relevant.

Members also discussed the next steps in appointing members to a scientific and ethics advisory committee, looking at ways to ensure strong expertise—and full representation of autistic people with different support needs—in this area.

Looking ahead, the Council began early discussions on the 2027 work programme. Members also explored potential partnerships, including a cooperation opportunity on housing with Fondation Autisme Luxembourg, and exchanged knowledge on autism and ageing by sharing existing resources and experiences.

Participants also received a short update on preparations for Autism-Europe’s International Congress 2028, as work continues on this major event.

Autism-Europe warmly thanks all members who took part in the meetings in Budapest and online and wants to especially thank the Mars Foundation for a warm welcome and meticulous planning of this year’s edition of the assembly.

On May 9^th, Autism-Europe welcomes the re-election of our Council of Administration member, Pietro Cirrincione, to the Board of the European Disability Forum (EDF). Pietro has also been elected to serve on EDF’s Executive Committee, helping to continue Autism-Europe’s contribution to the European disability movement.

The election took place in Cyprus during the European Disability Forum’s Annual General Assembly, which gathered over 200 participants representing 94 organisations from 42 countries, both in person and online on 9–10 May 2026. The Assembly followed the Cypriot Presidency’s high-level conference on “Inclusion of persons with disabilities: empowerment and support in a community for all”, underlining the importance of strengthening disability rights across Europe.

The European Disability Forum is an independent umbrella organisation of persons with disabilities that defends the interests of over 100 million persons with disabilities in Europe. It brings together representative organisations from across the continent and is run by persons with disabilities and their families, ensuring a strong and united voice in European policymaking.

The General Assembly provided an important opportunity to take stock of key developments in European disability policy. Delegates were updated on ongoing priorities, including the recently updates on the European Strategy on the European Disability Rights Strategy, where concerns were expressed over its lack of ambition. Discussions also covered major policy files such as the next EU budget, the Disability Card, passengers’ rights, and the proposed Regulation on the protection of adults, highlighting EDF’s central role in shaping EU policies and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.

Following his re-election, Pietro Cirrincione said:

“I warmly thank the members of EDF. I look forward to continuing to work together constructively. It is crucial to bring together our diverse perspectives to achieve our common goal for the full respect of the rights of persons with disabilities in Europe.”

For Autism-Europe, EDF is a crucial platform to promote a rights-based approach to disability at EU level and to ensure that the perspectives of autistic people and their families are fully reflected in broader advocacy efforts. As a founding member of EDF, Autism-Europe has long contributed to building a strong, united disability movement and advancing inclusive policies across Europe.

We warmly congratulate Pietro on his re-election and look forward to continuing our collaboration within EDF and the wider disability movement to promote the full enjoyment of rights by persons with disabilities across Europe.

Autism-Europe attended the High-Level Conference on “Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities: Empowerment and Support in a Community for All”, organised by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 in Limassol on 7 May 2026. The conference brought together representatives of EU institutions, governments, organisations of persons with disabilities, service providers and self-advocates to discuss the transition from substitute decision-making systems towards rights-based, supported decision-making in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Throughout the day, participants repeatedly stressed that legal capacity and self-determination are fundamental human rights. “Supported decision-making is not optional, it is the bridge between rights on paper and rights in real life,” said Themida Anthopoulou, Chairperson of the Cyprus Confederation of Disability Organisations. “The problem was never the person, it is the system”.

Strong calls for Rights-based Reform

The opening session featured interventions from senior representatives of the European Commission, the European Disability Forum and the Cypriot government.  Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib emphasised the importance of community living, inclusion and independent decision-making as central principles of the EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities. Speakers also highlighted concerns regarding insufficient funding and the need for stronger legislative action at EU level to ensure the full implementation of the CRPD.

The overarching focus of the conference was Article 12 of the CRPD, which recognises the right of persons with disabilities to enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others. Experts and advocates stressed that denying legal capacity often results in institutionalisation, exclusion from civic participation and increased vulnerability to abuse or exploitation.

National Reforms and Practical Approaches

The first panel explored reforms and practical approaches to supported decision-making across Europe. Representatives from Spain, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus shared experiences of legislative reform and the development of national supported-decision making services aimed at replacing guardianship regimes.

One recent example being the implementation of Irelands legislative reform found under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, which is based on principles such as the presumption of capacity, respect for will and preferences, and minimal restriction of rights. Speakers noted that implementing supported decision-making in practice requires sustained investment, training and cultural change, including support for families and professionals adapting to new models.

The Cypriot authorities presented their ongoing efforts to reform their own legal framework and develop a nationwide supported decision-making system. Cyprus has already launched an ESF+-funded pilot project employing supported decision-making advisors and recently adopted new legislation on social participation, inclusion and independent living for persons with disabilities. However, speakers acknowledged that further work remains necessary to fully replace guardianship laws and establish robust monitoring mechanisms.

Discussions also highlighted concerns regarding the continued reliance on mental capacity assessments and involuntary treatment in many European legal systems, particularly affecting persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. Several speakers warned that international instruments such as the Hague Convention on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults risk reinforcing substitute decision-making approaches that are not fully aligned with the CRPD.

Building Inclusive Community-Based Support Systems

Another key topic throughout the conference was the importance of personalised, community-based support services. Speakers stressed that supported decision-making cannot function in isolation: accessible communication, independent living services, personal assistance, peer support and inclusive employment opportunities are all essential to ensuring meaningful autonomy and participation in society.

Autistic-led Social Enterprise

One of the most inspiring moments of the conference was a presentation by Voice for Autism, a Cypriot organisation, about the country’s first social enterprise, which is run by autistic people— from the baristas to the shareholders. The initiative demonstrated how inclusive entrepreneurship can create pathways to employment, independence and community participation for autistic people while challenging traditional segregated employment models.

The social enterprise currently employs autistic staff members in an inclusive business environment located in central Nicosia. Five autistic people are shareholders in the enterprise itself, making it a particularly innovative model of ownership and participation. Organisers explained that the project was developed through cooperation between civil society, government and private sector actors, with support from the Cypriot Department of Social Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities.

Presenters also highlighted the broader social impact of the initiative. Beyond employment, the model provides ongoing coaching, life-skills development and opportunities for greater social inclusion. At a time when disability employment gaps remain high across Europe, the project illustrated how social enterprises can support de-institutionalisation and create genuine alternatives to sheltered workshops.

The presentation also shed light on the challenges faced by disability-led social enterprises, including legal uncertainty, lack of regulatory recognition and difficulties accessing sustainable funding. Nevertheless, the project offered a strong example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can empower autistic people and promote equal participation in economic and social life.

Planning for the next EU Council Presidency

Alongside the conference, Autism-Europe was pleased to meet with Ireland’s Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, ahead of the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The exchange provided an opportunity to discuss shared priorities regarding disability inclusion, legal capacity, independent living and the rights of autistic people across Europe.

This meeting was part of our ongoing dialogue with the rotating Presidencies of the Council of the EU.

Reflections on the Conference

The conference in Limassol demonstrated both the growing momentum behind supported decision-making reforms in Europe and the significant work still required to ensure the full implementation of the CRPD. Discussions repeatedly reinforced that inclusion requires practical, accessible and adequately funded support systems that respect the autonomy, dignity and preferences of persons with disabilities.

For Autism-Europe, the event also reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that autistic people, including those with intellectual disabilities and higher support needs, are fully included in reforms relating to legal capacity, independent living and community participation.

On 7 May 2026, Ana Terrón and Damiá Martínez-Cardós, representatives of Autism-Europe’s member organisation Autismo España (Spain), presented an update to their 2023 petition before the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions. They called for the inclusion of all autistic people in the forthcoming European Disability Card, including those with fewer support needs. They outlined the specific needs and rights of autistic people in the European Union and warned that the inability to guarantee freedom of movement without the European Disability Card could constitute a violation of European law, as autistic people crossing borders risk losing their rights. They further suggested that a European autism strategy could be drafted by the European Commission to strengthen these rights.

Plamen Kolev, from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, reminded the audience that disability assessment remains a competence of EU Member States. However, the Commission considers that mutual recognition of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for Persons with Disabilities enhances the freedom of movement of persons with disabilities. Kolev explained that the upcoming legislation to implement the two cards aims to ensure smooth use of the card across Europe.

Members of European Parliament call for a European autism strategy

In response to Autismo España’s 2023 petition — and to additional input from Autism-Europe — the parliament in October 2023 adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission and EU member states to harmonise the rights of autistic people.

During this month’s petition hearing, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Maravillas Abadía (from Spain) highlighted inequalities among persons with disabilities, particularly the uneven access to the European Disability Card and its limitations in addressing the specific needs of autistic people. She advocated for a dedicated autism strategy to protect these rights and supported keeping the petition open.

MEP Leire Pajín (from Spain) spoke out against disinformation surrounding autism and called for awareness campaigns to counter persistent myths. She also supported the petition and argued for the establishment of a specific European legal status for people with disabilities, ensuring recognition across EU Member States. Furthermore, she called on Member States to develop unified and mandatory protocols in education, healthcare, and legal systems.

MEP Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (from Spain) expressed particular concern regarding the access to rights for families of autistic people. She supported flexible solutions, stronger exchanges among Member States, and the development of a dedicated strategy. She also agreed that the petition should remain open.

MEP Ana Miranda Paz (from Spain) likewise supported keeping the petition open and spoke out against the privatisation of services, which she considers detrimental to the support provided to autistic people. She referred to a personal example involving her cousin’s son, who must travel long distances to access services. She also referred to the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and called for statutory laws addressing the needs of autistic people.  Miranda Paz said that a possible way forward could be to work on developing an autism strategy across all relevant parliamentary committees.

The Chair of the Committee on Petitions concluded that the petition would remain open and that the European Commission would be asked to provide an update at a later stage.

Other petitions presented by autistic people

The intervention was followed by three additional petitions related to autism, all from Spain. One of them was from a family representative and the other two from autistic people. In response to these petitions, the European Commission’s Plamen Kolev reiterated that, as part of its engagement with the autism community, the Commission funds Autism-Europe to facilitate the exchange of good practices. Martine Ingvorsen, from the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, added that the EU also financially supports autism research projects.

Watch the debate here: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/committee-on-petitions-ordinary-meeting_20260507-0900-COMMITTEE-PETI

During their visit to Brussels, Ana Terrón and Damiá Martínez-Cardós joined Autism-Europe’s staff in a meeting with MEP Rosa Estaràs (from Spain) to discuss her intention to question the European Commission about a future autism strategy. Additional meetings involving Autism-Europe and Autismo España took place with MEPs Mendia (from Spain), Miranda Paz, and de la Pisa Carrión, addressing the role of older autistic people, autism awareness, care policy, and the importance of families of autistic people.

On 15 April 2026, Autism-Europe took part in a high-level event at the European Parliament in Brussels titled “Beyond Diagnosis: Supporting Autistic People through needs-based approaches and digital tools.” Hosted by MEP Chiara Gemma and organised in partnership with the National Research Council of Italy, the seminar brought together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and representatives of the autism community to explore how support systems across Europe can evolve to better respond to the realities faced by autistic people today. 

The discussion comes at a critical time. Across Europe, increasing numbers of people are seeking autism assessments, while health and social care systems struggle to keep pace. As highlighted throughout the event, models that rely on diagnosis as the primary gateway to services are under intense pressure, which hinders access to support. Beyond getting access to diagnosis, the questions at stake were who gets support, when, and on what basis. 

Several speakers at this event called for a shift toward approaches that recognise and respond to people’s individual needs across the lifespan beyond formal diagnosis. 

Grounding policy in lived experience 

Monique Post, Autism-Europe’s Executive Committee member from the Netherlands, opened the seminar with a powerful reflection on the real-life impact of delayed access to diagnosis and gaps in support systems. Drawing on her own experience of being diagnosed at the age of 25, she spoke about the confusion and barriers that can arise when systems are not designed to accommodate individual differences. 

Monique emphasised that person-centred support requires time, understanding, and flexibility, elements often missing in current service structures.  Highlighting that as an autistic people “We don’t always get the opportunity to truly get to know people,” and pointing to the cause, rigid care packages and limited resources. Monique highlighted the importance and weight of self-advocacy, reminding participants that sharing lived experience is deeply personal and should never be taken lightly. 

Monique set the tone for the event:  that any meaningful reform must be rooted in the voices and rights of autistic people. 

Moving to Needs-based Service Provision 

Throughout the seminar, a consistent message emerged: diagnosis remains important for recognition and access to rights, but it cannot be the sole basis for support. 

Professor Liliana Ruta outlined how rising demand for assessments is creating bottlenecks across Europe, with long waiting times delaying access to services. She stressed that support needs are dynamic; evolving across life stages and contexts, and that systems must reflect this complexity and adapt accordingly. 

Speakers across sessions reinforced this perspective. In early childhood, delays in diagnosis can lead to missed opportunities for timely support, notably evidence-based therapy, as highlighted by Dr Giacomo Vivanti, with long-term consequences. At the same time, many autistic adults, particularly older people, remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leaving their needs unrecognised. As Professor Hilde Geurts highlighted, support systems for older adults are often ill-equipped to respond to neurodivergence. She underlined the need for lifelong approaches, including ensuring access to diagnosis for older adults, while accounting for the huge diversity of needs, and not relying on diagnosis alone for support. 

The role of digital tools and scalable solutions 

A major focus of the event was to explore how digital tools can help alleviate the pressure on clinicians, shorten waiting lists, and make it easier for autistic people to access timely and appropriate support. Prof. Bhismadev Chakrabarti shared insights into digital assessment programs conducted in low-resource countries that can be administered by non-specialists.  

Prof Ofer Golan highlighted how digital interventions may expand access to support for autistic people across different contexts and stages of life, highlighting current evidence on the effects of such interventions. He also emphasised their limits, practical applicability, and ethical implications.  

Dr Rossela Luca presented examples of tools that measure developmental dimensions—such as communication, attention, and sensory processing—without requiring a formal diagnosis as a prerequisite for support. Dr Erica Salomone highlighted the WHO’s Caregiver Skills Training programme to support parent-mediated interventions, which can be delivered in low-resource settings and adapted across contexts. 

A call for rights-based, co-created systems 

Adam Harris, Autism-Europe’s Executive Committee member, closed the policy-focused discussions by reflecting on the broader issue of autism rights and policy in the EU. He highlighted the significant progress made in awareness and recognition over recent decades, while cautioning against complacency in the face of emerging challenges, including misinformation and the persistent inequalities in access to support. 

Adam emphasised that future systems must be co-created with autistic people, ensuring that services are not only available but truly responsive to their needs and rights. At the EU level, he called for stronger coordination, adequate funding, and a renewed commitment to advancing a rights-based approach to autism. 

Conclusion 

The seminar made clear that Europe stands at a turning point. With increasing demand for support and growing recognition of the diversity of autistic experiences, there is an urgent need to rethink how systems are designed and delivered. 

A shift toward needs-based, person-centred approaches supported by responsible use of digital tools offers a pathway toward more equitable and sustainable systems, as highlighted by Dr Giovanni Pioggia when closing the event. However, achieving this vision will require sustained collaboration between policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and the autism community. 

Autism-Europe will continue to advocate for policies and practices that uphold the rights, dignity, and inclusion of autistic people across Europe, ensuring that no one is left waiting for the support they need to thrive. 

To watch the recording of the event, follow this LINK. 

Autism-Europe is announcing a new collaboration with technology company HONOR to explore how  HONOR 600 Series industry-first feature can support autistic children in expressing themselves. The partnership, introduced during Autism Awareness Month, focuses on a feature that can turn children’s drawings into short animated clips.

For many autistic children, drawing is an important way to communicate their interests and ideas. The animation tool included in the new HONOR 600 mobile devices—AI Image to Video 2.0—offers an exciting way to build on that strength by transforming their artwork into short animated stories in a single tap. Autism-Europe’s interest in the collaboration is to better understand how such tools might complement, in a playful manner, existing forms of creative expression.

“Autistic people communicate in diverse ways, and it is important that society continues to develop accessible options that respect this diversity,” said Harald T. Neerland, President of Autism-Europe. “Art can play a meaningful role in self-expression. When combined with appropriate technology, it can offer additional ways for autistic children to share what matters to them. We welcome the development of mainstream innovative tools to explore  these possibilities.”

As part of the initiative, Autism-Europe’s Latvian member association recently held a creative workshop where children experimented with the tool using the HONOR 600 Series device. Participants were able to animate their drawings and view the results immediately. Families and educators noted that the children greatly enjoyed seeing their artwork transformed into short videos.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Autism-Europe as we debut AI Image to Video 2.0 on the new HONOR 600 Series,” said James Li, CEO of HONOR. “Our goal with this technology was to build a new canvas for expression that is accessible to everyone. The partnership with Autism-Europe is the most powerful demonstration of this mission in action. Seeing our technology help a child share their unique inner world is the most meaningful result we could hope for. It reinforces our commitment to creating human-centric technology that makes a genuine difference.”

Autism-Europe welcomes the HONOR initiative to create an accessible technology that has the potential to support autistic people in daily life, including in communication and creative activities. We value partnerships that align with our mission to promote the rights, inclusion, and well-being of autistic people across Europe.

Autism‑Europe recently hosted a high‑level online policy dialogue in partnership with the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union, bringing together representatives from Cyprus and Ireland and Autism-Europe members from across the EU. The objective was to explore how autism‑specific strategies can drive meaningful change and contribute to broader disability reforms and EU-level priorities. With Cyprus holding the current EU presidency and Ireland preparing to take over, the event offered a timely opportunity to connect national experiences with European priorities.

The dialogue took place as the European Commission is soon to release its communication on “Enhancing the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities up to 2030”, which is expected to set a roadmap for the rest of its implementation.  The event showcased a range of positive developments across these two countries while underlining the need for stronger and more targeted EU action for autistic people as recommended by the CRPD committee in 2025, particularly in the areas of education, employment, community‑based services, independent living, accessibility and the fight against misinformation. Autism-Europe stressed the importance of ensuring autistic people are fully involved in policymaking processes that affect their lives. The discussion also linked to ongoing reflections on the implementation of the European Disability Strategy, including the need for stronger monitoring frameworks and clearer guidance for Member States.

The dialogue took place during Autism Month, which participants highlighted as an opportunity not only to raise awareness but to reflect on how to build more inclusive societies that respect neurodiversity. A central part of the discussion focused on Cyprus’s ongoing national reforms in the field of disability, a key priority of its EU Presidency. Speaking on behalf of the Cyprus presidency, Maria Toumazou and Eliza Georgiadou presented a series of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening disability and autism support. It includes reforms to strengthen person-centred and community-based services, as well as supported decision-making, alongside changes to national legislation on benefits and services for persons with disabilities. It reflects a shift towards a more service‑oriented and rights‑based approach, focusing not only on financial support but also on practical assistance that enables participation and autonomy and moves Cyprus towards meeting its obligations under Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognises the right to legal capacity.

Learning about the Cypriot experience:  use of EU funds for innovation and autism strategy

One of the concrete initiatives presented was AKTidA, a family‑centred intervention and support centre for autistic children and their families, launched in 2021 as part of a broader shift towards community-based service provision and co‑funded through ESF+. Designed as a social innovation project, AKTidA provides coordinated psychological, social and home‑based support, delivered primarily in families’ own homes and everyday community settings. The model responds to real‑life challenges faced by families, supporting them from the moment of diagnosis and helping them navigate daily routines, education, and social participation. Since its launch, AKTidA has reached hundreds of families across Cyprus, including those living in remote areas, demonstrating how EU funding can translate into tangible local impact.

Cyprus also shared its experience in developing the country’s first national autism strategy and action plan, approved in April 2024 as a five-year framework complementing the broader national disability strategy. The strategy was created through an extensive consultative process involving multiple ministries, public bodies, professionals, civil society organisations and autistic people themselves. It reflects a growing recognition of the need for targeted autism-specific actions within wider disability policies. It includes 53 actions across seven thematic areas covering the entire life course: research and knowledge, early identification and intervention, healthcare, education, social protection and independent living, employment, and participation in social and cultural life. Importantly, the strategy includes structured monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability and follow‑up, helping to bridge the gap between policy commitments and real‑world outcomes. One notable outcome highlighted was an increase in the number of children supported to access mainstream education.

Learning about the Irish Autism Innovation Strategy

Ireland’s perspective was presented by Lianne Meagher Reddy, who outlined the country’s Autism Innovation Strategy, published in 2024. The Irish strategy was developed to complement broader disability and human rights policies by focusing on areas where autistic people’s needs were not being fully addressed by mainstream services. Its aim is to make a measurable difference in the daily lives of autistic people while also improving how public services respond to autism more generally.

The strategy contains 83 actions organised across four pillars. These include building an autism‑affirming society through increased understanding and training; improving equality of access to public services such as education, healthcare and employment; fostering accessible and inclusive communities; and strengthening self‑advocacy, family support, research and access to assistive technologies. A key feature of the Irish approach is its strong commitment to co‑design, with autistic people playing a central role in the oversight and monitoring of implementation. Dedicated governance structures have been put in place to track progress and support coordination across government departments.

The need for a strategic approach to autism at the EU level

Speaking on behalf of our Irish member AsIAm and Autism‑Europe, Adam Harris emphasised that while service systems and legal frameworks differ across Member States, autistic people across the EU experience common barriers to recognition, accessibility, education, employment and quality of life. Adam highlighted that the EU has a vital role to play in harmonising professional training, improving cross‑border recognition of autism and disability, supporting research that is co‑produced with autistic people, and enabling the sharing of best practice and innovation. He highlighted the rapid growth of autism‑related misinformation as an urgent pan‑European concern, as well as the need for stronger accessibility standards, inclusive education, and meaningful labour‑market participation. Recommitting to investment in autism advocacy, data collection, and independent monitoring within the EU disability strategy are key priorities identified by Autism-Europe in the context of the dedicated consultation. He concluded by welcoming calls from EU policy-makers for a dedicated EU autism strategy as a complement to national strategies, capable of providing focus, accountability and momentum for long‑term systemic change across Europe.

The dialogue highlighted that progress on autistic people’s rights depends on sustained political commitment, meaningful involvement of autistic people and their families, and the effective availability use of EU frameworks and funding, including adequate resources in the next long‑term EU budget to fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Drawing on experiences from Cyprus and Ireland, speakers showed how national autism strategies add value by addressing gaps, improving coordination and raising visibility, while also emphasising that mainstreaming autistic people’s concerns is essential. At the same time, recurring challenges were highlighted, notably around prioritisation, resourcing and translating strategies into tangible improvements in people’s lived experiences, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, coordination and shared learning across Europe.

You can watch a recording of the online event here.