INTERNATIONAL DAY OF AUTISM

Abstract

Last December, the United Nations General As­sembly adopted a resolution under the initiative of the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.

Autism is indeed today a very serious education and health issue around the world.

At the occasion of the first World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Europe recalls the fol­lowing to the Member states of the European Union and of the Council of Europe.

The Member States of the European Union and the Council of Europe should pay a particular attention to autism considering the high preva­lence of this disability. 

On the basis of evidenced scientific data, we know today that autism is not a rare condition and if the whole spectrum of autistic disorders is con­sidered, the disability can affect 0.6% of the population. This means that Europe (including all members of the Council of Europe) counts around 5 million people with autism.

With this resolution Member States of the Euro­pean Union and the Council of Europe are obli­gate to respect the dignity and human rights of the persons with autism.

For guaranteeing their full dignity, people with autism should not be considered nor treated as a population that is not able to achieve goals such as independence and self-determination.