One of the most pervasive forms of discrimination against people with disabilities has come from those who use stereotypes and faulty science to deprive us of the right to have a family, to marry, and to raise children on an equal basis with all other citizens. Although the eugenics movement and the resulting involuntary sterilization of numerous people with disabilities may be the most well known example of the harm caused by such attitudes, the closely related prejudice that people with disabilities are inherently unfit as spouses or parents has caused many Autistics and others to be deprived of parental rights and discriminated against in divorce and child custody cases, based on stigma and stereotypes rather than evidence.

In recent years, some psychologists and others have for reasons of personal financial gain promoted false claims that Autistics are unsuitable for family life and inevitably cause harm to romantic partners and family members. These claims have no support whatsoever in the scientific literature. In some relationship workshops based on these ideas, the participants are encouraged to blame their Autistic partner for problems in the relationship and to buy books, counseling sessions, and other products and services that are presented as necessary to their emotional healing.

These ideas have led to attempts to influence social workers and family law courts to remove custody of children from Autistic parents and to discriminate against Autistic adults in other family law settings. As a consequence, Autistic victims of domestic abuse are likely to fear that they will encounter discrimination and possibly lose their children if they seek protection from the abuse, and they may remain silent even when their lives are in danger. Laws prohibiting discrimination in child custody matters are needed, along with educational efforts to dispel unfounded myths and prejudices, to ensure that Autistic parents and other parents with disabilities will not have to live with such fears.