Adults with autism in Ukraine are now able to receive a diagnosis following a decision by the country’s Ministry of Health.
Previously, the Ukrainian government had failed to acknowledge the existence of autism in adults and the normal practice for diagnosing people over the age of 18 who display symptoms of autism was to diagnose them with schizophrenia.
The decision to overturn this inappropriate practice comes as a result of much advocacy work by Child with future, Autism-Europe’s Ukrainian member.
The decision is accompanied by provisions for improved regulation and monitoring of autism diagnosis practices, as well as awareness raising and early detection initiatives.