Polish mother Marta Lachowicz warns of parental exclusion in autism care

Marta Lachowicz, a 43‑year‑old lawyer from Poland, spent 18 years caring for her autistic son Karol. After his diagnosis, she left her job to devote herself to his therapies, while the family struggled with misunderstanding and social stigma. Lachowicz says that support systems focus almost exclusively on the child, leaving parents isolated and overwhelmed. She calls for greater awareness of the psychological and practical needs of caregivers, stressing the right to a personal life beyond the role of full‑time guardian.

Her testimony highlights the broader issue of parental exclusion faced by families of people with disabilities in Poland, urging policymakers and service providers to address caregiver well‑being as part of autism support programs.