A core intention of the Family Court of both NSW and Australia, is to place the needs of children at the forefront of any legal matter. This intention is drastically heightened when the case regards a child with a disability, such as children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a developmental disability with a wide range of symptoms and effects.

As children with developmental disabilities require a significant amount of attention and care, the Family Court justly takes that into consideration during custody matters. Many factors can influence the outcomes of the Family Court in custody matters surrounding Autistic children, such as their developmental needs and issues with any changes to their regular routine.

The Family Court at any time can make arrangements for the protection of children, and is critical of parents who are dismissive of their child’s medical needs. In some unfortunate instances, such protection orders mean that one parent is granted sole custody of their child, and further, specific pathways of communication may have to be set up between parents for the foreseeable future.