Study shows most educators lack training to support autism and ADHD, leaving many children without tailored learning support

Question for written answer E-003625/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Peter Agius (PPE)

Research by Dr Attard, in Malta, involving 170 teachers, support staff, parents and children, confirms what many families already suspect: children with learning disabilities are not getting the tailored support they need. Thus while 75 % of educators said they understood autism, only 25 % felt confident adapting their classroom materials for autistic pupils. This confirms parents' fears that their children's abilities may go undeveloped simply because the system cannot adapt to their needs.

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees 'the right to education for everyone', which implies education adapted to children with special needs. Likewise, the European Disability Strategy stresses inclusive education and the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream schools with proper individual support.

Across Europe, parents have raised similar concerns through petitions to Parliament. Ensuring equal educational opportunities for children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) requires more than goodwill - it requires policy action.

Could the Commission therefore clarify:

• 1.What steps have been taken to implement Parliament's resolution of September 2023 on harmonising the rights of autistic persons[1]?
• 2.What measures are currently in place - and what new policies are being developed- to ensure that children with learning difficulties, particularly those with autism and ADHD, receive the individualised education guaranteed under EU law?

Submitted: 18.9.2025

• [1] OJ C, C/2024/1181, 23.2.2024, ELI: https://http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/1181/oj.