Psychostimulants, drugs with a stimulating effect on the central nervous system such as Ritalin, are now also allowed in traffic for people with an autism diagnosis. The NVA has made a strong case for this recently. The so-called Regulations for Suitability 2000 of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management have been amended, according to a publication of 22 November 2019 in the Government Gazette. The amendment means that from now on everyone who is treated with psychostimulants can - under certain conditions - participate in traffic.
"This is an important step when it comes to equal rights for motorists with autism in traffic," says NVA director Karol Henke.
Until recently, this only applied to people with an ADHD diagnosis or a sleep disorder. People with an autism diagnosis (only) were not allowed to use psychostimulants in traffic - even if they have many additional ADHD symptoms. However, the NVA could not find any logical explanation for this difference in regulations.
The Health Council recently recommended in a report that the (therapeutic) use of psychostimulants under certain conditions also be allowed for people with a diagnosis other than ADHD or a sleep disorder. This advice has now been adopted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
"This is an important step when it comes to equal rights for motorists with autism in traffic," said NVA director Karol Henke.
NVA lobby
The Dutch Autism Association has been lobbying for a number of months to improve the position of (potential) motorists with autism. The use of psychostimulants also had our attention. For example, we recently informed the ministry that a growing number of people with autism were forced to 'obtain' an (additional) ADHD diagnosis.
With the aim of obtaining permission to use psychostimulants in traffic. Relatively many people with autism also have characteristics of ADHD; they can therefore also benefit greatly from therapeutic treatment with psychostimulants.
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