One of the best-known laws that protects the rights of people with autism spectrum disorder is Law No. 12,764/2012, known as the Berenice Piana Law, which established the National Policy for the Protection of the Rights of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
It was through this law that it was recognized that autistic people are considered people with disabilities and, therefore, eligible for inclusion in the Statute of Persons with Disabilities, as well as in international standards signed by Brazil, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities No. 6,949/2000.
Among the rights established by the Berenice Piana Law, we can highlight: The aforementioned legislation establishes the rights of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, such as:
– a dignified life, physical and moral integrity, free development of personality, security and leisure;
– protection against any form of abuse and exploitation;
– access to health actions and services, with a view to comprehensive attention to their health needs, including: early diagnosis, even if not definitive; multidisciplinary care; adequate nutrition and nutritional therapy; medications, information that aids in diagnosis and treatment;
– Access to education and vocational training, housing, work, social security and social assistance are also rights guaranteed by law.
Furthermore, it is important to highlight another provision brought by the Berenice Piana Law regarding the application of a fine to the school administrator who refuses to enroll a student with autism spectrum disorder, or any other type of disability.
Finally, to conclude the analysis of this Law, it is worth mentioning that in 2020, Law No. 13,977 established a modification to the Berenice Piana Law to establish the Identification Card for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CIPTEA). Even before this law, it was already possible in some states of the Federation to identify autistic people by including the ICD on their ID cards.
