Moving from Germany to the UK

I have not lived in Germany, however, I have read a lot of international Autism-related material and my summary is a that there is much commonality between the two Countries (Germany and the United Kingdom) and their approach to Autism support services.

Germany's Autism Achievements:

- made progress in becoming more autism-friendly,

- advancements in relevant healthcare,

- Germany is / will be (launch varies by Country from 2024, or within 3.5 years of 2024) participating in the EU European Disability Card which gives disabled people access to the same special conditions and preferential treatment as residents of the country they visit within the EU (the scheme is designed to serve as a proof of disability status across all EU countries when accessing a wide range of services).

www.consilium.europa.eu/.../

- Among children age 6 - 13 years, over 50% of Autistic children and adolescents attend a special school,

- awareness and inclusion has developed, and

- support services are defined.

Autism Challenges For Germany:

- ensuring more equitable access to diagnosis (currently rather variable (there are no established referral pathways for children and it depends upon where you live),

- employment opportunities need to be further extended to better support Autistic applications and employees, and

- more comprehensive support is needed for Autistic people (to be more equally available across all regions).

- Primary / Elementary / Grade School-age (age 6+) support for Autistic children is more obvious than perhaps it is for pre-school children,

- Support for Autistic students in Secondary / High School and College / University levels needs to be further developed and

- Although Autistic School age children in Germany are likely to have Special Educational Support (SES) parents and carers have been known to feedback that they feel the SES ought to be more personalised to the individual child. 

My thoughts are that when it comes to the pre-school age group; having access to lots of really invested / engaged extended family members - drawn from lots of different age groups is important (supportive of: acquiring vocabulary, language and emotion constructs, opportunity to experience people of different ages, to become accustomed to different environments beyond home and School, exposure to varied humour and body language mannerisms, varied play styles, exposure to motivational encouragement demonstrated by people who are likely to share your family style of communication / culture / heritage / social references / music and nursery rhymes / religious outlook etc.).

While in the UK, your Wife may feel able to ask her family members for in-person pragmatic and emotional support (both in the context of your Son and on her own account too).

(For Autistic Adults): Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada and Australia all tend to score more positively in polls about the Autism support and services in different Countries - i e. ahead of both Germany and the United Kingdom.

I think if I were faced with the same life choices decision-making challenge; I would try to speak to - from both Countries:

a) Autism peer support groups,

b) Support lines from National / Regional Autism Organisations,

c) You Son's Doctor, 

d) A mainstream Pre-School / Nursery / Kindergarten, and

e) A Special Education School.

As your Son is now aged 3 1/2 years; his own unique character, level of introvert / extrovert / energy / outgoing-ness, topics of interest and lifestyle preferences wil each likely have started to become identifiable by you and your Wife.  All of that is also an important consideration.

If you were to decide that a move to the UK is preferable for your Family's wellbeing; preparing your Son for that transition is important.  These notes might give you some ideas of approaching the key topics:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transitions

and

www.autism.org.uk/.../starting-or-switching-school

With all good wishes to your Family at this stressful time (I speak as an Autistic person who experienced moving School / Country / Home circa 10 times due to a relative's career etc.).

I have not lived in Germany, however, I have read a lot of international Autism-related material and my summary is a that there is much commonality between the two Countries (Germany and the United Kingdom) and their approach to Autism support services.

Germany's Autism Achievements:

- made progress in becoming more autism-friendly,

- advancements in relevant healthcare,

- Germany is / will be (launch varies by Country from 2024, or within 3.5 years of 2024) participating in the EU European Disability Card which gives disabled people access to the same special conditions and preferential treatment as residents of the country they visit within the EU (the scheme is designed to serve as a proof of disability status across all EU countries when accessing a wide range of services).

www.consilium.europa.eu/.../

- Among children age 6 - 13 years, over 50% of Autistic children and adolescents attend a special school,

- awareness and inclusion has developed, and

- support services are defined.

Autism Challenges For Germany:

- ensuring more equitable access to diagnosis (currently rather variable (there are no established referral pathways for children and it depends upon where you live),

- employment opportunities need to be further extended to better support Autistic applications and employees, and

- more comprehensive support is needed for Autistic people (to be more equally available across all regions).

- Primary / Elementary / Grade School-age (age 6+) support for Autistic children is more obvious than perhaps it is for pre-school children,

- Support for Autistic students in Secondary / High School and College / University levels needs to be further developed and

- Although Autistic School age children in Germany are likely to have Special Educational Support (SES) parents and carers have been known to feedback that they feel the SES ought to be more personalised to the individual child. 

My thoughts are that when it comes to the pre-school age group; having access to lots of really invested / engaged extended family members - drawn from lots of different age groups is important (supportive of: acquiring vocabulary, language and emotion constructs, opportunity to experience people of different ages, to become accustomed to different environments beyond home and School, exposure to varied humour and body language mannerisms, varied play styles, exposure to motivational encouragement demonstrated by people who are likely to share your family style of communication / culture / heritage / social references / music and nursery rhymes / religious outlook etc.).

While in the UK, your Wife may feel able to ask her family members for in-person pragmatic and emotional support (both in the context of your Son and on her own account too).

(For Autistic Adults): Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada and Australia all tend to score more positively in polls about the Autism support and services in different Countries - i e. ahead of both Germany and the United Kingdom.

I think if I were faced with the same life choices decision-making challenge; I would try to speak to - from both Countries:

a) Autism peer support groups,

b) Support lines from National / Regional Autism Organisations,

c) You Son's Doctor, 

d) A mainstream Pre-School / Nursery / Kindergarten, and

e) A Special Education School.

As your Son is now aged 3 1/2 years; his own unique character, level of introvert / extrovert / energy / outgoing-ness, topics of interest and lifestyle preferences wil each likely have started to become identifiable by you and your Wife.  All of that is also an important consideration.

If you were to decide that a move to the UK is preferable for your Family's wellbeing; preparing your Son for that transition is important.  These notes might give you some ideas of approaching the key topics:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transitions

and

www.autism.org.uk/.../starting-or-switching-school

With all good wishes to your Family at this stressful time (I speak as an Autistic person who experienced moving School / Country / Home circa 10 times due to a relative's career etc.).