Background and Aim: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Iran, due to their specialized educational and therapeutic needs, represent one of the most vulnerable social groups. This study aims to examine the existing gap between Iran’s domestic legal framework and international standards in protecting the rights of autistic children and to propose practical solutions for narrowing this gap.
Method: This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach using a library-based methodology. Data were collected from national legal sources and international documents, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and analyzed through a comparative lens.
Ethical Considerations: Ethical principles in the present research were observed through accurate citation of sources, respect for intellectual property rights and avoidance of plagiarism. All sources used in the study have been properly acknowledged and referenced. The analysis and interpretation of the materials were conducted objectively and honestly, with full respect for academic integrity.
Results: The findings indicate that despite the enactment of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2017), autistic children in Iran face major obstacles in accessing educational and healthcare services. These challenges stem from inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, lack of institutional coordination, regional disparities and limited public awareness regarding their rights.
Conclusion: To bring Iran’s legal and practical systems in line with international standards, structural reforms are required. These include legal revisions, development of local infrastructure, enhancement of public awareness, specialized training for service providers and inter-institutional coordination. Such measures are essential to effectively realize the rights of autistic children in Iran.

Please cite this article as:
Kouhestani L, Niknam Lavasani S. Rights of Autistic Children in Iran: Challenges in Accessing Services and Alignment with Global Standards. Medical Law Journal. 2026; 20: e1.