Autism

If you or your child are on the autistic spectrum - there are rights and benefits that you should know about

Life on the autistic spectrum is an ongoing challenge but knowledge of the rights, benefits and relevant proceedings can help and make things easier. Here you will find a list of important things to know for children and adults with autism, Asperger and others - from the stage of diagnosis, through education and frameworks for children, to support programs for adults, including national and military service and employment

Proceedings

• Autism Diagnosis
• Recognition by the Office for the Care of the Autistic and P.D.D. Population
• Appointment of a Guardian

Benefits

• Disabled Child Benefit for Children on the Autism Spectrum
• Disabled Child Benefit and Related Benefits
• Disability Pension and Related Benefits
• Special Services Benefit (Attendance Allowance) and Related Benefits

Health

• Paramedical Treatments for Children with Autism
• Promoting Health Care for Children on the Autistic Spectrum
• Exemption from payments to HMOs for recipients of disabled child benefit
• Health Plan Fee Exemptions for Disability Pension Recipients
• Dental Care for People with Disabilities
• Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia for People with Disabilities
• Financing Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices
• Sick Days for a Parent to Care for Offspring with Disabilities
  
• Psychiatric Hospitalization of Children, Youths and Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder on the Ministry of Health website.

Education

• Special Education and Integration into Regular Education Portal
• Daycare Centers for Toddlers with Autism
• Educational Frameworks for Preschool-Age Children with Autism
• Educational Frameworks for School-Age Children with Autism
• Matriculation examination (Bagrut) accommodations for children learning in special education
• The DROR program at Tel Aviv University - Preparing for academic studies and an interdependent life for young adults on the autistic spectrum
• Accommodations in order to integrate disabled students on trips and activities outside of school

Military and National Civil Service for People with Autism

• National Civil Service
• Volunteering for National Civil Service for People with Autism
• Volunteering for the IDF for the Special Needs Population
• "Roim Rachok" Vocational training for youth on the autism spectrum for positions in the IDF and National Service
• IDF Service for Youth with Asperger’s Syndrome
• Exemption from Military Service for People with Autism
• Chiburim - A preparatory program for volunteering in the IDF by the Asperger Israel Association

Employment

• Employment of People with Disabilities
• Employment for Adults with Autism Living at Home
• "Roim Rachok" Vocational training for youth on the autism spectrum for positions in the IDF and National Service
• The DROR program at Tel Aviv University - Preparing for academic studies and an interdependent life for young adults on the autistic spectrum

Housing

• Housing for People with Disabilities
• Housing Options Outside the Home for People with Autism
• Mechinat Dror - Preparation for Community Housing for Young People on the Autistic Spectrum

Community Services and Rights

• Community Services for Children with Autism
• Community Services for Adults with Autism Living at Home
• Clubhouses for Children and Adults with Autism who live in their Parents' Homes
• Reim Program - Social Groups for People with Communication Difficulties
• Vacations for Children and Adults with Autism who Reside in the Community
• Respite Services - Hosting children and Youth with Special Needs
• Aid in funding camps for are autistic children that are integrated into the regular school system.
• Exemption from payment at public places for a escort of a child or adult on the autism spectrum
• Exemption from waiting in line at public places

Legal

• Guardianship
• Making Police Investigation of People with Autism Accessible
• Making Giving Testimony in Court Accessible for People with Autism
• Representation by a Public Defender in Criminal Proceedings
• Accessible Justice - Accommodations in Legal Proceedings for People with Disabilities

Parents' Rights

• Income Tax Credit Points for a Child or Adult with Disabilities
• Income Tax Credit for a Child in Housing Outside the Home
• Sick Days for a Parent to Care for Offspring with Disabilities
• Fee exemption in public places for the companion of a child or adult on the autistic spectrum

Definitions and Concepts

• Classic Autism
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified
• Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)
• Rett Syndrome
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Aid organizations

• For a comprehensive categorized listing of healthcare organizations offering assistance and support, click here.

Government agencies

• The National Insurance Institute
• Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services provides services for those with autism and PDD
• The Ministry of Health - Autism Department

Court Rulings

• Children on the autism spectrum must be recognized as eligible for a Disabled Child Benefit
• Housing assistance for the family when a disabled family member lives with them
• Ruling on transportation for toddlers with disabilities
• Ruling on closure of autism center in Jerusalem

Laws & Regulations

• The National Insurance Law
• The National Insurance Regulations (Disabled Child) - 2010
• Update No. 43 to the National Health Insurance Law - "The Somatic Law"
• The Compulsory Education Law
• The Special Education Law
• The Rehabilitative Day Care Centers Law
• The Equal Rights for People with Disabilities Law
• The Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law
• The Safe Transportation for Children and Toddlers with Disabilities Law
• The Protection of Dependents Law
• Amendment 26 to the Penal Law - "The Protection of Minors and the Helpless Law"
• The Investigations and Testifying Procedures Law (Accommodating People with Mental or Emotional Disabilities)

Additional publications

• ALUT - Booklet of rights for children on the autism spectrum (available in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, and English)
• Bokra newspaper website: Autism in the Arab sector (article in Arabic)
• Haaretz newspaper website: The first school for students with autism in the Bedouin community

Credits

• Original translation performed by The Shira Pransky Project as part of a grant from The Fellowship Fund.