On 23 April 2025, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted a pivotal conference with the aim of unifying approaches to autism across Europe. The meeting was co-organised by Autism-Europe and supported by the European Parliament Disability Intergroup, and brought together key stakeholders, including the CDN’s Professor Emily Jones, to discuss the future of autism policy and research across the EU.

The meeting followed the European Commission's commitment to a coordinated strategy for autism, announced in September 2024, and aligns with Autism-Europe’s call for a strategic response to the needs of autistic individuals at EU, national, and regional levels.

The conference featured a high-profile lineup of speakers, including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives from the autism community. Emily Jones, with expertise in developmental translational neuroscience and autism, presented on biomedical progress in autism research. She highlighted the achievements of the AIMS-2-TRIALS consortium, which has made significant progress towards identifying biological signatures to inform treatment decisions for autistic individuals.

Professor Jones emphasised three key findings in her delivery: the overlap between autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, the need for holistic approaches to understanding autism, and the critical role of European funding in advancing autism research.

The conference addressed the priorities and challenges faced by the autism community, the need for systemic changes in service delivery continent-wide, and future policy directions. Discussions at the meeting highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and tailored support, as well as the economic benefits of investing in autism services.

The event concluded with a call for a strategic, inclusive approach to autism policy, aiming to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals across Europe.

Read more about the meeting on Autism-Europe’s website