FAQ

Autism belongs to the profound developmental disorders and is associated with impairments in communication, social interaction and stereotypical interests and actions. Since the severity of the symptoms varies greatly among those affected, it is also referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

You can find more information on ASD at Autism-Spectrum-Disorders and in this video

ASDs are caused by genetic changes that lead to deviations in brain development and, as a result, to changes in perception and behaviour, for instance. 

You can find more information under Emergence

Due to changes in brain development, there are peculiarities in the perception of people with autism. They regularly show unusual features of social interaction and communication, as well as stereotypical and repetitive behaviors. However, people with autism are just as individual in their behavior as people without autism. 

You can find further information at Autism-Spectrum-Disorders and in this video

Early signs (12 months and older) of ASD may include, for example: 

• No pointing gesture to share interest 
• No waving gesture to say goodbye 
• Lack of response to being called by name 
• Lack of imitation 
• Lack of eye contact 
• Unusual exploration of objects 
• No following of pointing gesture 
• Infrequent social smiles 
• Slowed flexibility in visual adaptation 
• Preferences for geometric figures 

(Friday et al., 2017)

You can find more information here

In recent years, an increase in formally confirmed ASD diagnoses has been observed in some countries. However, it is not clear whether this is due to an actual increase in the disorder, more complete coverage, expansion of diagnostic criteria, or a combination of these factors (Bölte, 2009).

According to current knowledge, autism spectrum disorders are not “curable”, that means autism persists for a lifetime. However, through targeted therapeutic support, a significant improvement in symptoms is possible.

You can find more information under Therapy and in this video

The expression of symptomatology within the autism spectrum is very broad and includes both people with impairments of mental abilities and people with intellectual giftedness.

You can find more information at Autism-Spectrum-Disorders and in this video

The expression of symptomatology within the autism spectrum is very broad and includes both people with impairments of mental abilities and people with intellectual giftedness.

You can find more information at Autism-Spectrum-Disorders and in this video

If you observe developmental deviations in your child that indicate an autism spectrum disorder, contact a professionally qualified diagnostic facility. These can be, for example, clinics, outpatient clinics and practices for child and adolescent psychiatry, specialized practices for psychotherapy and social pediatric centers. Since the diagnosis of ASD is often a challenging task and the diagnosis has far-reaching consequences, it should only be performed by experienced professionals using scientifically validated procedures and examination instruments. 

Further information is available at Diagnostics and in this video

We have summarized helpful suggestions for the time after diagnosis under Dealing with the diagnosis

If your child has been diagnosed with autism, you should, if necessary, promptly select an appropriate therapy and apply for it with the responsible funding agency. In addition, you have the opportunity to take advantage of other support services. We have summarized a selection under Social law issues

Autism spectrum disorders are not curable and accompany those affected throughout their lives. Therefore, medication has no influence on the autism-specific key symptoms. Nevertheless, medication can be helpful to reduce accompanying symptoms or comorbidities (e.g. self-injurious behavior, hyperactivity, depression). This can also have a positive effect on receptivity and thus support the success of autism-specific treatment and improve quality of life (cf. Cholemkery et al., 2017).

When looking for a therapy for your child, you should make sure that the effectiveness of the therapy approach is scientifically evidenced (more)

The therapy targets should be determined in advance and adapted to the individual symptoms of your child. In addition, parents should be actively involved in the process. 

Also make sure that generalization of the learned behavior is a central component of the intervention. 

The overriding target of any support should be the achievement of the greatest possible independence and the improvement of quality of life of the child and his or her family. 

Until now there has been no uniform responsibility in Germany for the funding of autism-specific therapy. Depending on the respective federal state and the age and cognitive level of the child, the local (social welfare office) or supra-local (e.g. regional association) social welfare agency or the youth welfare office may be responsible. At Assumption of Costs we have summarized further information also on the assumption of costs of other relief offers. 

This is due to the social-legal classification of children with autism, which is not handled uniformly everywhere, so that there is no nationwide regulation of responsibility.

There is no predetermined number of therapy hours. This always depends on the individual need and the selected intervention.

Since the therapies offered vary greatly by region, the waiting times can also vary greatly. In general, you should contact a suitable therapy facility as soon as possible after the diagnosis has been made and, if necessary, have yourself placed on a waiting list. The earlier the therapy begins, the better the development potential can be exploited to achieve the greatest possible therapeutic success.

Parents play a very important role in supporting their autistic children. It is therefore important that parents understand their child’s disorder and learn how to deal with the special behaviors. In the meantime, there are various approaches that actively involve parents in the support of their child. 

Within the context of psychoeducational parental training, parents acquire basic knowledge about autism spectrum disorders, how to deal with the symptoms, and effective treatment options. The exchange with other affected parents for social and emotional support also represents a central component of the trainings (Freitag et al, 2017). One example is the behavior therapy-based Frankfurt Autism Parent Training (FAUT-E; Schlitt et al, 2015), in which a fixed group of participants is taught knowledge about the disorder and how to deal with their own child in a supportive manner in eight modules that are based on each other (Freitag et al, 2017). 

In addition, in the field of early intervention, there are intensive, behavior therapy-based parental training programs in which parents are actively involved in their child’s therapy and learn how to holistically support their child in everyday life. An example of such a behavioral therapy-based early intervention program is the Münster Intensive Program MIA, which has been offered at Münster University of Applied Sciences since 2010.

Therapy services offered by autism therapy centers (ATZ) are often conducted on the premises of the respective facility. However, this is not optimal for transferring what has been learned to everyday life. Ideally, at least part of the support should take place “outreach” where the skills learned are practically needed. 

In the context of behavioral early intervention programs such as the MIA program at Münster University of Applied Sciences children therefore are mainly supported at home and in their familiar environment (e.g., in the daycare center).

This question cannot be answered in general terms, as the duration of therapy always depends on the individual symptoms, the agreed targets and the child’s learning pace.

This cannot be answered in a general way, because the manifestations of the symptoms within the autistic spectrum are very different and individual. Some children begin to speak in the course of therapy, others develop no spoken language for the rest of their lives. Within the context of autism-specific support, however, the children can also learn to communicate non-verbally in order to express needs. This is often a great relief for the children and their families.

This is a question that occupies most parents of an autistic child intensively. 

However, since the course of an ASD depends very much on the individual manifestation of the symptomatology, the cognitive abilities of the child and the type of support, this question cannot be answered in a generalized way.  

It has been proven, however, that by using autism-specific behavior therapy (AVT; Bernard-Opitz, 2014), considerable improvements in autism-specific symptoms as well as decisive progress in developmental level and independence can be achieved.

Many specialized counseling centers and autism therapy centers (ATZ) now offer support options such as courses for parents and siblings.  

Also the exchange with other affected persons in self-help groups can be relieving for parents. Link zu Kontakten/Selbsthilfe einfügen  

In addition, there are various offers, for support and relief in everyday life, for families with autistic children. (Relief offers in everyday life)

Not all children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require support in everyday school life. Therefore, the need for an integration assistant/school companion is always assessed on a individual basis. The need for school support is usually determined by a school doctor’s or medical officer’s report and can be applied for at the local youth welfare office or social welfare office within the context of integration assistance. (Integration Specialist/School Assistant)

Depending on the federal state, there are different specialist advisory services for parents and schools. In NRW, you can contact the Fachberatung Autismus (Autism Advisory Service) in your district or city if you have any questions about schools. The Fachberatung Autismus provides support in the following areas: 

• Basic information about ASD 
• Dealing with learning peculiarities of autistic students 

• Questions about the school career 
• Information about integration support and school assistance 
• Setting up the disadvantage compensation 
• Advice on AO-SF procedures 

In the “Further information” section, you will find links to some districts and cities in NRW under the heading “School”. –> Link hier einfügen 

If your child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you have the possibility to apply for a grade of disability (GdB). Whether the requirements are met is checked individually by the pension offices, cities or municipalities. The authorities responsible for the individual federal states as well as application forms for download can be found at www.integrationsaemter.de. 

Depending on the extent of the social adaptation difficulties, the degree of disability in ASD can be between 10 and 100. If the GdB is 50 or more, it is called a severe disability and only then is a severe disability certificate issued. 

You can find more information here: Grade of disability and severe disability certificate

The support needs of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) vary greatly, just as the manifestation of the symptomatology differs greatly within the spectrum. For children with ASD, it is often the limitations in independence and coping with everyday life, rather than physical limitations, that justify a need for care. If you would like to apply for a nursing grade for your child, please contact your long-term care insurance company. In a defined assessment process, the individual need for support and a possible, corresponding nursing grade will be determined. Detailed information on how to apply and prepare for the assessment can be found here

The German Autism Association (Bundesverband autismus Deutschland e.V.) has published a brochure on the legal rights of people with autism and their relatives at the following link: https://www.autismus.de/fileadmin/RECHT_UND_GESELLSCHAFT/Broschuere_Rechte_von_Menschen_mit_Autismus_Stand_13Nov.pdf 

The Bundesverband autismus Deutschland e.V. has published a recommendation list of law firms that advise and represent people with disabilities as well as people with autism and their relatives. 

https://www.autismus.de/fileadmin/RECHT_UND_GESELLSCHAFT/Rechtsanwaltsempfehlungsliste/RA_Empfehlungsliste_Maerz2022.pdf