Abstract:

The term autism has been known in Poland for over 30 years, but the knowledge about autism in society is weak. Organizations responsible for work with people with autism point out that specific of autism in society is not known so they use the term “invisible citizens”. This is linked both with social and professional aspects of life. Social isolation of people with autism is visible and they are not accepted in the society. Isolation and social exclusion, which afflict not only people with autism but also their families is caused first of all by inappropriate manners of people with autism which is understood as a lack of culture and eccentricity. People with autism more often have participate in various spheres of public life which brings both positive and negative consequences. In spite of numerous anti-discrimination actions and campaigns, people with autism in Poland very often suffer from violence from the society.

The aim of the article is to show the basic social problems, experienced by people with autism in Poland. The necessity of changes in law which will prevent such discrimination, exclusion and victimisation will be stressed in this article. The author analyses literature dealing with discrimination, exclusion and victimisation problems connected with autism in Poland.

Keywords:

Autism, isolation, social exclusión.