Military authorities generally oppose military service and conscription for autistic people. Military commanders generally consider individuals with autism to be unfit for military service, and therefore often exclude them. However, it has been argued, including by neurodiversity advocates, that this exclusion constitutes discrimination against autistic people. Neurodiversity advocates make the same argument regarding the militaries of countries that use conscription. Neurodiversity advocates argue that autistic people should not be excluded from military conscription. Neurodiversity advocates argue that completely excluding autistic people from military conscription and exempting them from service is a form of discrimination. Neurodiversity advocates argue that excluding individuals from conscription based solely on a diagnosis of autism is a violation of anti-discrimination laws.
By country
Countries with conscription for both men and women
Sweden Sweden excludes people with autism and ADHD from conscription and military service. Through the Swedish government agency Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen), neurodiversity advocates argued that the Swedish military's policy of not conscripting autistic individuals was a form of discrimination. Until 2021, Swedish military authorities excluded individuals with ADHD from conscription and denied their enlistment applications. In 2022, they implemented a change for ADHD: military enlistment became possible for those with mild ADHD who could "clearly prove that they had not required medication, contact with the medical system for treatment, or other support measures for more than three years." Individuals who could not meet this standard, or other people with ADHD, remained excluded. However, at that time, the Swedish military authorities did not change the rules for autistic individuals and firmly denied military service to those with autism. In 2023, the Swedish military authorities firmly excluded autistic individuals from conscription. In response, Swedish neurodiversity advocates, through the Equality Ombudsman, filed a lawsuit arguing that the military's policy constituted discrimination against people with autism. In 2024, Sweden continued to exclude autistic people from conscription, and it firmly rejected military enlistment applications from men with autism. Working through the Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, neurodiversity advocates argued that the administrative decision to deny military enlistment to an autistic person violated anti-discrimination laws. The Diskrimineringsombudsmannen subsequently filed a lawsuit against the military authorities on April 25, 2024. The district court then stayed the case on December 19, 2024. In 2020, Erik Fenn was denied military enlistment by Swedish authorities and disqualified from the conscription assessment based solely on his autism diagnosis. Using the government agency Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, neurodiversity advocates argued that the Swedish military authorities had violated anti-discrimination laws. The Diskrimineringsombudsmannen then filed a lawsuit against the Swedish military on November 21, 2022, asserting this violation. They won the case at the Stockholm District Court on November 19, 2024. Following the victory, Fenn was recognized as eligible for conscription, overturning his previous exclusion. The Swedish Armed Forces have since appealed the ruling on December 10, 2024. The main trial at the Svea Court of Appeal is scheduled for late January 2026. Erik Fenn served on the front lines in the war in Ukraine, where he died on June 31, 2025. In 2025, A 17-year-old named Samantha was rejected from Swedish military conscription solely because of her autism diagnosis, a decision she calls a "disappointment." Samantha, who views her autism and ADHD as strengths, feels it is unfair that she is barred from serving while some of her friends who were selected have no desire to join the military. As of March 18, 2025, Swedish military authorities are facing seven lawsuits alleging that their rejection of military enlistment applications from individuals with autism violated anti-discrimination laws.
Denmark In Denmark, health grades for military service are classified on a scale from 0 to 5. A higher grade (closer to 5) indicates a person is healthier and more suitable for military service. Individuals with a grade of 2 or lower are considered unfit for military service, and grades of 0 and 1 are unconditionally classified as unfit for service. While a rating of "0 - (4)" typically results in exclusion from military service, an individual can be permitted to serve if they can prove a special "just cause", which qualifies them as fit for duty. Denmark's conscription policy classifies individuals with an autism diagnosis (including infantile autism) as "0"("unfit for military service"), and they are consequently excluded from conscription. An exception is made, however, for individuals diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, who receive a rating of "0 - (4)". Even for this group, military service is only permitted if a "just cause for military service" can be proven; otherwise, they are also classified as "unfit for military service" and cannot serve.
Norway In Norway, individuals must fill out a questionnaire before military enlistment. On this questionnaire, autism is included in the same category as conditions like Down syndrome. As a result, even those with a very mild form of autism may be deemed unfit during the conscription process and be unable to serve.
Israel In Israel until 2017, individuals with a diagnosis of autism and a disability rating of at least a 100 % have been exempt from military service 2017. Individuals with autism who did not meet that rating were generally drafted and given profile 45 or 64. In July 2021, after the Titkadmu (Move Forwards) program was launched, approximately 200 individuals with high-functioning autism volunteered for military service. Additionally, a program called Ro'im Rachok allows individuals to apply as military volunteers. As part of the program, Unit 9900 of the Military Intelligence Directorate has a subunit consisting of autistic servicemen for imagery and geospatial intelligence duties.
Countries with conscription for men only
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