Glossary
SPZ, ATZ, GdB, § 35a – applications and conversations are full of abbreviations that nobody explains. And meltdown, shutdown and masking describe what happens at home — nobody explains those either. Here are 21 terms: 16 from the language of the authorities and five from the child’s own experience.
These terms come from the glossary of the Mika Guide. They are deliberately short: just enough for you to know what is being talked about when you deal with an authority or a practice — and so that you have a word for what happens at home. What this means day to day is explained on the Everyday topics page. The official terms describe the German system; in Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom the offices and procedures are called differently — what applies in your country is in the Benefits tab of the Mika Guide. For the United Kingdom, the equivalents are named under each entry below and set out in full on Support in the UK.
MD (Medizinischer Dienst / Medical Service)
The Medizinischer Dienst (Medical Service) carries out assessments on behalf of the health and long-term care insurers, for example when a Pflegegrad (care level) is involved. It was formerly known by the abbreviation MDK.
SPZ (Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum / social-pediatric center)
A point of contact where doctors, psychologists, and therapists jointly examine and support children with developmental differences. The referral usually goes through the pediatrician (Kinderarzt).
In the UK: No counterpart. Assessment runs through NHS neurodevelopmental teams or child development centres; in Scotland through the NHS boards.
KJP (Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie / child and adolescent psychiatry)
The specialty for the mental health of children and adolescents. Among other things, assessment and counseling take place here, either as an outpatient or in a clinic.
ATZ (Autismus-Therapie-Zentrum / autism therapy center)
A specialized facility that offers autism-specific support for children and families. Which service fits is discussed there on an individual basis.
EUTB (Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung / supplementary independent participation counseling)
A free, independent counseling service on everything to do with disability, applications, and participation. It advises neutrally and in the family’s interest, not on behalf of an authority. Find a counselling centre near you.
In the UK: IPSEA and your local SENDIASS in England (every local authority has to run one), Enquire in Scotland, SNAP Cymru in Wales, SENAC in Northern Ireland. Contact advises UK-wide. All of them are free.
Eingliederungshilfe (integration assistance)
Services meant to enable people with a disability to take part in everyday life — for example a school aide (Schulbegleitung). It is applied for with the responsible provider, often the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) or Sozialamt (social welfare office).
In the UK: No single counterpart. The educational part is covered by the EHC plan in England and by additional support needs in Scotland; social care support is assessed separately.
§ 35a SGB VIII
The section of child and youth welfare law that governs Eingliederungshilfe (integration assistance) for children with a mental disability. Many applications rely on it, for instance for a school aide (Schulbegleitung).
In the UK: No equivalent section. The nearest thing is the Children and Families Act 2014 in England, which governs EHC needs assessments and plans.
GdB (Grad der Behinderung / degree of disability)
A number from 20 to 100 that indicates how strongly a disability affects everyday life. From a GdB of 50 on, a person is considered severely disabled and can receive a Schwerbehindertenausweis (severe-disability ID card).
In the UK: Nothing of the kind exists. There is no degree of disability and no disability card anywhere in the UK; your proof is the decision letter for DLA, Child Disability Payment or PIP.
Merkzeichen (disability markers)
Letters on the Schwerbehindertenausweis (severe-disability ID card) (for example G, aG, B, or H) that unlock certain compensations for disadvantages — for instance with travel or accompaniment. They are set out in the official assessment notice (Feststellungsbescheid).
In the UK: No markers either. For parking there is the Blue Badge, available since 2019 also for non-visible disabilities.
Pflegegrad (care level)
A value from 1 to 5 that describes how much support a person needs in everyday life. It determines benefits from the long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) and is assigned after an assessment.
In the UK: No care levels. The nearest thing is the care component of DLA (England and Wales) or of Child Disability Payment (Scotland), with three rates: £30.30, £76.70 and £114.60 a week in 2026/27.
Verhinderungspflege (substitute care)
A benefit from the long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) that steps in when the caregiving person is unavailable for a while or needs a break. It can fund alternative care for that time.
Entlastungsbetrag (relief amount)
A monthly amount from the long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) from Pflegegrad (care level) 1 on, which can be used for services that provide relief in everyday life. It is reimbursed against receipts.
Nachteilsausgleich (compensation for disadvantages)
Adjustments that offset a disability-related disadvantage — at school, for example, more time or a quieter environment during exams. It is arranged individually with the school.
Schulbegleitung (school aide)
A person who supports a child in the school day so that they can take part in lessons. It is applied for through Eingliederungshilfe (integration assistance) and is based on the child’s needs.
In the UK: In England the support a child must receive is written into section F of the EHC plan. Children without a plan are supported through SEN support, which also requires no diagnosis.
Frühförderung (early-intervention support)
A service for younger children with developmental differences that brings various specialties together under one roof. Access often runs through the pediatrician (Kinderarzt) or an SPZ (social-pediatric center).
116117
The nationwide number of the Patientenservice run by the associations of statutory health insurance physicians — the on-call medical service for health questions outside of practice hours, and at the same time the appointment service (Terminservicestelle) that helps you get a specialist appointment. For acute emergencies, 112 still applies.
Meltdown
A state of overload in which control gives way. Not a tantrum, not a question of parenting: the nervous system is past its limit. What helps is reducing stimuli and calm presence, not discussion or consequences.
Shutdown
The quiet twin of the meltdown: instead of a loud discharge, there is withdrawal, going silent, seeming absent. It is often misread as defiance and is the opposite of it. What helps is space, not being talked to.
Masking (camouflaging)
Hiding autistic traits in order to get through a situation. It often works surprisingly well — and it costs energy. Sustained masking is today seen as one reason why autism is recognized later in girls, and why the exhaustion then shows up at home.
Autistic burnout
A state of exhaustion after long adaptation and sensory overload, with a real loss of skills. It is well documented and is not a sign of laziness. What helps is relief and time without pressure to adapt.
Stimming
Repeated movements or sounds with which a nervous system regulates itself: rocking, flapping the hands, repeating a word. Autistic adults consistently describe stimming as helpful, often pleasant and necessary. Stopping it takes a tool away from a child without giving another one. Stepping in only makes sense when a movement harms the child itself — and then it is about finding a safe alternative, not about suppressing the need.
The explanations are general and are not legal advice. What applies in your case is decided by the responsible authority.
Status: August 2026. Law, amounts and procedures change — in the UK, benefit rates are normally uprated every April. What applies at the time of your application is what counts; please check it with the office responsible.
What’s next?
One term explained can raise the next question right away. Here is where to continue.