Autism-specific therapy

“Autism therapy” is not a single method. The 2021 S3 guideline sorted the therapies by the goal someone wants to reach. For the goal “social interaction and communication”, it recommended different, behaviour-therapy-based services depending on age: for small children, an early-starting therapy involving the parents; for school children, adolescents and adults without intellectual disability, time-limited group therapies. ^{[1, Rec. 10, 14, 17]} For this goal, it rated some approaches as not sufficiently effective. ^{[1, Rec. 12]}

Status of the guideline: According to the DGKJP overview, it expired on 23.03.2026. ^[2] The recommendations do not automatically become wrong, but they are currently not backed by a valid guideline.

Sources and literature

1. DGKJP/DGPPN et al.: Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter, Teil 2: Therapie. Interdisziplinäre S3-Leitlinie, AWMF-Reg.-Nr. 028-047, Langversion, Stand Text 02.05.2021. https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/028-047l_S3_Autismus-Spektrum-Stoerungen-Kindes-Jugend-Erwachsenenalter-Therapie_2021-04_1.pdf
2. DGKJP: Aktuelle Leitlinien (Übersicht mit AWMF-Registernummer und Gültigkeitsdatum). https://www.dgkjp.de/wissen/aktuelle-leitlinien/