Promoting the capabilities of persons with autism : ethical aspects

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that is characterized by several different characteristics such as difficulty in social interaction and communication, difficulty with focus, and repetitive behaviours among others. Persons with autism face various challenges in life such as discrimination, social isolation, stereotypes, accessibility issues, and problems in various aspects of life such as employment and education. Many of these challenges that they encounter are due to several barriers that are found in our society. This dissertation aims to give persons with autism a chance to flourish by making use of the ethical framework of Martha Nussbaum called ‘The Capability approach’. This approach provides persons with a dignified and flourishing human life. By making use of Nussbaum’s capability approach, this dissertation highlights the barriers that persons with autism face in various areas of their life, and through the informative literature and future recommendations given, society can issue policies to tackle these barriers. By removing these barriers, persons with autism can achieve the capabilities, which ultimately result in a life of dignity and flourishing.