February 17, 2007
Lex Autism
It was the habit of jurists in Ancient Rome, and in the Middle Ages, to describe what they considered a coherent field of law, or the law of a specific people, as a modifier of Lex, law: for example, the Lex Mercatoria (merchant or commercial law) or the Lex Gothica (law of the Goths). It was a way to designate a law, or more likely, a set of related laws that comprised a legal field, like commercial law.
Although entitling a blog Lex Autism suggests a legal field related to autism, I certainly do not believe that there is anything so clear, comprehensible, and distinct about autism, either as a condition or as laws affecting those with the condition. On the contrary, I would be the first to affirm the common saying about autism, that “if you have met one person with autism, then you’ve met one person with autism.” Virtually everything about autism is in dispute: its definition, causes, treatment, and the role of law in the lives of those with autism.
If neither autism nor laws affecting autism are so simple and coherent, then at least an attorney, writing on law and autism, can strive for clarity and consistency in his commentary. It is only in that general way that I see meaning in the title, Lex Autism.
It is precisely due to the complexity of spectrum disorders that a distinct specialization in the practice of law is so necessary.
Best wishes