Deputy CHR Adam Krzywoń met with self-advocates to mark World Autism Awareness Day
Date:
On 2 April 2025, to mark World Autism Awareness Day, the Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights, Adam Krzywoń, met with self-advocates on the autism spectrum at the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights. The meeting aimed to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by women on the autism spectrum.
Autism spectrum in women is different from autism in men. Girls and women are usually diagnosed much later than boys or do not receive an appropriate diagnosis. This translates directly into their quality of life and daily functioning.
The meeting was attended by self-advocates:
- Ewa Furgał from the Girls on the Spectrum Foundation, Member of the Council of Persons with Disabilities at the CHR;
- Julia Kozakiewicz-Domżał, House of Neuroculture;
- Klaudia Lewandowska, Sister on the Spectrum;
- Agnieszka Sułkowska, Autyzm po ludzku - Supporting parents in the process of diagnosis;
- Aleksandra Wilińska from the Aware Youth Club at the Autism Team Foundation in Włocławek.
The OCHR was also represented by: Monika Wiszyńska-Rakowska - CHR's Representative for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Bartosz Cyran - Chief Coordinator for Cooperation with Social Partners, Dorota Beker from the Department for Equal Treatment, as well as Aleksandra Antoniuk and Beata Tokarz-Kamińska from the Social Projects Centre.
The self-advocates pointed out that women on the autism spectrum very often experience anxiety and depression. The problem of autism burnout in girls and women stems from exposure to prolonged stress and is a consequence of masking symptoms in order to fit in and avoid rejection.
The self-advocates then outlined the difficulties people on the autism spectrum face when accessing healthcare, with a specific focus on women. They emphasised the importance of implementing training for doctors, particularly GPs, on how to work with patients with disabilities. In particular, they raised the issue that the standard of perinatal care neglects the needs of female patients on the autism spectrum. Furthermore, there is a need to discuss motherhood for women on the spectrum and to create support groups for mothers on the spectrum. The self-advocates also pointed out that women on the autism spectrum are particularly vulnerable to violence, especially psychological violence.
Adam Krzywoń summarised the meeting, underlining that the issues raised by the self-advocates would be further explored by the OCHR's Legal Department. He emphasised the commitment to continuing activities to ensure the availability of medical services for people on the autism spectrum, including perinatal care. He informed attendees that the Office of the CHR is planning to conduct a study on forced restraint. This study is a response to complaints reported to the Office regarding the use of direct coercion against children and adolescents on the autism spectrum.
