Grad der Behinderung (GdB; degree of disability)

An autism diagnosis does not automatically lead to a degree of disability. The competent authority determines the GdB on application. ^[1] What matters is how strongly autism affects participation in everyday life. For autism, the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung (Ordinance on Medical Care) gives reference values from 10 to 100 (there called “degree of damage consequences”, GdS), depending on how pronounced the “social adjustment difficulties” are. ^[2] From a GdB of 50, a person counts as severely disabled and can receive a severe disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis). ^{[3; 1]}

Sources and literature

1. § 152 SGB IX – Feststellung der Behinderung, Ausweise. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__152.html.
2. Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung, Anlage zu § 2 „Versorgungsmedizinische Grundsätze“, Teil B Nr. 3.5.1 „Tief greifende Entwicklungsstörungen“ (GdS/GdB 10–20 / 30–40 / 50–70 / 80–100; Kriterien der ICD 10-GM Version 2011, Teil B Nr. 3.5). VersMedV zuletzt geändert durch Art. 1 V. v. 29.09.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 228). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/versmedv/anlage.html
3. § 2 SGB IX – Begriffsbestimmungen (Abs. 1–3). Sozialgesetzbuch Neuntes Buch.