
All people with disabilities have a right to live independently and be included in the community, as outlined in article 19 of the UN CRPD. Some people with autism require 24-hour support with all aspects of daily life, while others are able to live independently.
Those who are able to live independently sometimes also require some support. The support that a person needs depends on their individual difficulties and can include things like assistance with understanding letters and paying bills, budgeting, making decisions and solving problems.
Receiving appropriate support is essential to enable people with autism to live independent and fulfilling lives, and be included in the community.
By contrast, a lack of support often leads people with autism to live in isolation and/or heavily dependent upon their families. In some parts of Europe, many people on the autism spectrum are often forced to live in large residential institutions in which they are prevented from going outdoors or even leaving their beds, denied their fundamental rights and neglected and/or abused.
Autism-Europe advocates for deinstitutionalisation, the right to housing and living support appropriate to their individual needs, as well as the right of people with autism to choose their own living circumstances.
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