Autismus Wissen – Because understanding begins with knowledge.
News
New studies, rulings and changes – put into context by experts.
The 10 knowledge areas
Ten areas of knowledge – from the basics to research.
- Understanding autismBasics to get started
- Assessment & diagnosisThe path to a diagnosis – at any age
- Shaping everyday lifePractical strategies for every age
- Parents & familyThe relatives’ perspective
- Daycare, school & educationFrom day-care to vocational training
- Therapies & supportWhat helps – and how to judge it
- Adults on the spectrumLife as an adult on the autism spectrum
- Pathways & orientationRights, benefits and the support system in Germany
- Professionals & practiceFor professional practice
- Science & researchEvidence explained clearly
What are you looking for?
Choose the starting point that fits your situation.
- I suspect autism in my childHave you noticed something about your child's development? Here is how to find y…
- I suspect autism in myselfDo you wonder whether you are on the autism spectrum? Here you will find orienta…
- My child has received an autism diagnosisThe diagnosis is in. Here you will find guidance on support, applications, relie…
- I received a diagnosis as an adultDid you receive an autism diagnosis as an adult? Orientation on everyday life, w…
- I support people with autism in school or workDo you support a child, an adolescent or an adult on the spectrum? Orientation o…
- I work as a professional with people with autismNotes, basics and sources for professionals in nursery, school, therapy, counsel…
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to questions that often come up at the start.
What is autism?
Autism is a variation in development which, according to an expert overview, lasts a lifetime. It shows mainly in social communication and interaction and in recurring, not very flexible behaviours, interests or activities. How autism shows differs greatly from person to person. In medical classifications the diagnosis is called "autism spectrum disorder".
Is autism an illness?
In medical classifications, autism is listed as "autism spectrum disorder" among the disorders of neural and mental development. The concept of neurodiversity, by contrast, understands autism as a form of natural diversity of development and rejects seeing deviations from the norm as faults that must be corrected. Both views exist side by side; they do not rule out that people on the autism spectrum need support.
Can autism be cured?
According to an expert overview, autism lasts a lifetime. The German guideline of 2021 described no treatment that cures autism; it set out help for individual goals, such as social interaction or accompanying conditions, and stated that procedures proven ineffective should not be used. In the editorial team's view, promises of a cure are a warning sign of dubious offers.
Do vaccines cause autism?
No: large studies find no link between vaccines and autism. A 2014 meta-analysis evaluated five cohort studies with a total of 1,256,407 children and five case-control studies with 9,920 children and found no link, including for the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine or for thiomersal. A Danish cohort study of 657,461 children found no increased autism risk for children vaccinated with MMR. A paper published in The Lancet in 1998, often cited, was retracted by the journal in 2010.
In detail: Do vaccinations cause autism? What the studies show
At what age can autism be diagnosed?
According to the 2016 guideline, an autism diagnosis made before the age of two stays stable within the spectrum; where symptoms are clear, it should be made even then. For infancy there are no reliably established features for prediction. A diagnosis is also possible later, into adulthood.
New & updated
Knowledge articleAssessment & diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria for autism: DSM-5 and ICD-11 explained
Knowledge articleTherapies & support
Recognising controversial and dubious offers
Knowledge articleTherapies & support
Behavioural early interventions (ABA, ESDM): evidence and criticism
Knowledge articleScience & research
The S3 guidelines on autism: content and validity status
Checklists & Templates
How we work
How you can judge our content – and what you can hold us to.
- Traceable sources Every article names its sources so that you can check statements for yourself.
- Date visible The date of the last update to the content is shown; for legal topics, so is the legal position as of that date.
- Evidence and open questions kept apart Where the research is inconsistent, we say so explicitly. “Expert reviewed” only appears where an expert review has actually taken place.
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