MATE: Munich Autism therapy group for adults

As part of the Outpatient Clinic for Social Interaction Disorders at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, the Munich Autism Therapy Group for Adults (MATE) started meeting regularly since 01 March 2016.

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by impairments in the area of ​​social interaction and communication. In the case of so-called highly functional autism (HFA), cognitive and intellectual abilities are unaffected. Nevertheless, many adults with HFA have major problems in everyday life. To date, the potential of treatment and support in adults with HFA is unknown. A promising approach is group therapy.

In the group therapy sessions, only individuals with HFA are present (6-8 people). It has been shown that participation in such a group for adults with HFA - as well as similar groups for mental illnesses - can be very helpful. Such a therapy group operates as part of the Outpatient Clinic for Social Interaction Disorders at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry. The first MATE course starts on 1 March 2016. The 90-minute sessions are held weekly and the course is made up of 12 sessions.

In terms of content, the group is concerned with obtaining information about autism and developing and training together using practical exercises, for example: how to reduce stress in everyday life or how to manage social situations more easily. In addition, the group’s therapists are scientifically supported by the Institute’s Research Group "Social Neuroscience". This enables the group's aspects and contents to be systematically examined.