Preparing well for doctor visits and hospital stays in autism

Legal status: 08.10.2026 (federal law, checked against the statutory text; section on accompaniment in hospital). The versions in force at the time of application are decisive. Legal terms are translated here for understanding; the German wording of the law is what counts.

What helps in interaction

People with autism have individual skills and needs that should be taken into account. According to the guideline, the following are helpful in particular ^{[1, Rec. 3]}:

• the possibility of non-verbal initiation of contact,
• concrete, direct communication that matches developmental age,
• structuring the environment and sequences of actions (visual means, predictability, consistency of people),
• maintaining physical distance,
• avoiding strong sensory stimuli (noise, smell, light).

A discrepancy between cognitive skills and social or daily-living skills should be taken into account, and under- or over-demand avoided. ^{[1, Rec. 3]} You can tell the practice or hospital this in advance. Background on stimuli and structure: Sensory processing and perception, Routines and structure in everyday life.

Access to care

The guideline called for people with autism to have prompt access to somatic and psychiatric-psychotherapeutic health care as well as to psychosocial support measures, regardless of cognitive skills or further diagnoses. ^{[1, Rec. 6]} If several measures are needed, they should be coordinated by a single point. ^{[1, Rec. 6]} On the role of professionals: Adapting therapy and counselling.

Accompaniment in hospital

During inpatient hospital treatment under section 39 SGB V, under section 113 para. 6 SGB IX benefits are also provided for accompaniment and enabling by trusted close people. They are meant to ensure treatment. The requirement is that this is necessary because of the relationship of trust between the person entitled to benefits and the close person and because of disability-related special needs. ^[3] Trusted close people are people who already provide integration assistance benefits to the person entitled in everyday life, in particular within a legal relationship with a service provider. ^[3] The benefits comprise services for communication and for support in dealing with stressful situations as non-medical ancillary benefits to hospital treatment. ^[3] Whether the requirements are met in your case is clarified by the integration assistance provider. More on responsibilities: Understanding the support system and Integration assistance.

Practical tips from the editorial team

These tips are experience values of the editorial team and not statements from the sources:

• Inform in advance: Call or write before the appointment about what helps you (quiet room, short waiting time, announcement of what will be examined).
• Prepare the sequence: Write down what you want to ask and bring a list of medication and previous illnesses.
• Plan accompaniment: Think about who can accompany you and clarify this with the practice or hospital.
• Make withdrawal possible: Ask whether you can take breaks if it becomes too much.

What else you should know

• You may ask for adjustments. The guideline describes principles for interaction that practices and hospitals should take into account. ^{[1, Rec. 3]}
• Advice on rights and benefits: Finding advice.
• Not covered: rules on accompanying persons under health insurance law (SGB V), cost coverage in detail, visiting rules of individual hospitals.

Sources and literature

1. DGKJP, DGPPN et al. Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter. Teil 2: Therapie. S3-Leitlinie, AWMF-Reg.-Nr. 028-047, Stand Text 02.05.2021 (Empf. 3, 6). – Guideline (in German); expired on 23 March 2026 (see no. 2)
2. DGKJP. Aktuelle Leitlinien (Eintrag 028-047: „Gültig bis 23.03.2026“). https://www.dgkjp.de/wissen/aktuelle-leitlinien/ – Professional society (website in German)
3. § 113 SGB IX – Leistungen zur Sozialen Teilhabe (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__113.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)