Vocational training with autism: support and rights

Legal status: 08.10.2026 (federal law, checked against the statutory text). This article only describes the rules of the Vocational Training Act for recognised training occupations. Legal terms are translated here for understanding; the German wording of the law is what counts.

What the Vocational Training Act provides for disabled people

Disabled people within the meaning of section 2 para. 1 sentence 1 SGB IX are to be trained in recognised training occupations. ^[1] The rules for the training regulations and the examination are to take account of the particular circumstances of disabled people. This applies in particular to the timing and content structure of training, the length of examination times, the admission of aids and the use of help from third parties. ^[2] The training contract with a disabled person is entered in the register of vocational training relationships; the disabled person is also to be admitted to the final examination if certain requirements for admission to the examination are not met. ^[2]

Whether and how this is applied in the individual case is decided by the responsible body. This article makes no statement on that. For reasonable adjustments at school: Reasonable adjustments at school.

What the 2021 guideline recommended

According to the consensus-based recommendation, the choice of occupation and vocational training route should be guided by individual strengths, and a freely chosen job in the open labour market in the sense of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities should be aimed for. Where needed, concrete support and individual reasonable adjustments should be offered, in particular for application processes, daily structures, inclusion in social structures, organising placements and, at the person’s request, informing the training provider. ^{[3, Rec. 110]}

Applying for jobs

The guideline recommended (grade of recommendation B, evidence level 2) that adolescents and young adults who want to apply for a training or job position should, on request, receive specific application training with role plays and concrete exercises. Attention should also be paid to the fit between talent and the desired occupation. ^{[3, Rec. 113]} More on work and career: Work and career in autism.

What else you should know

• You decide who is informed. The guideline named informing the training provider explicitly “at the person’s request”. ^{[3, Rec. 110]}
• Advice can help, for example on the question of which support is possible in your case: Finding advice.
• Not covered: benefits of the Federal Employment Agency, support by rehabilitation providers, training at vocational training centres, part-time training, state rules for school-based training.

Sources and literature

1. § 64 BBiG – Berufsausbildung (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbig_2005/__64.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
2. § 65 BBiG – Berufsausbildung in anerkannten Ausbildungsberufen (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbig_2005/__65.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
3. 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. 110, 113). – Guideline (in German); expired on 23 March 2026 (see no. 4)
4. DGKJP. Aktuelle Leitlinien (Eintrag 028-047: „Gültig bis 23.03.2026“). https://www.dgkjp.de/wissen/aktuelle-leitlinien/ – Professional society (website in German)