Support Organisations
Help so there's enough energy left for the journey
In addition to our own offering, other organisations provide valuable support. They often place different emphases or offer concrete help with practical implementation.
Important note
Almost all the organisations listed are structured cantonally. Since the concrete help, financing, and contact persons depend on your place of residence, it is essential to always contact the office in your own canton of residence.
General
These organisations offer essential support to people with disabilities or developmental disorders (NDD) without being limited to a specific condition.
| Organisation | Core competencies |
|---|---|
| Pro Infirmis | Social counselling & direct aid: the most important point of contact for questions about the IV, financing gaps (direct aid), and the assistance contribution. Each cantonal office knows the specific regional regulations. |
| Procap | Legal advice: contact Procap when applications to the IV or health insurer have been rejected. The cantonal sections offer specialised legal advice locally. |
| Entlastungsdienst Schweiz | Care breaks: for when parents need time off. The cantonal services arrange care providers who come to your home. |
| Insieme | Parent self-help & leisure: focus on intellectual disability and learning difficulties. The regional associations organise holiday camps and leisure courses locally. |
| Pro Juventute | Parent counselling & crisis support: support with parenting questions and financial hardship in the family through regional foundation funds. |
| Stiftung Denk an mich | Holidays & leisure: funds holiday camps and leisure activities to relieve family members. Applications are often submitted through cantonal organisations (such as Pro Infirmis). |
| SRK (Swiss Red Cross) | Relief & transport service: the cantonal Red Cross organisations offer childcare in emergencies or transport services to medical appointments. |
Autism spectrum
These organisations offer specific support for the entire autism spectrum or for individual sub-areas. They are active nationwide or regionally and help you with information or practical support.
| Organisation | Focus / core competency |
|---|---|
| Autismus Deutsche Schweiz (ads) | Umbrella association; first point of contact for initial counselling, regional groups, and specialist information. |
| ALA – Autismus Leben & Arbeiten | Inclusion & coaching: focus on the primary labour market and independent living. Offers life coaching for structuring everyday life. |
| Autismus Forum Schweiz | Interactive community: the largest platform for exchanging experiences on diagnosis, therapies, and compensation for disadvantages at school. |
| Stiftung Kind und Autismus | Centre of excellence (Urdorf): operates a special school and supported living; offers specialist courses and diploma programmes. |
| Fachstelle Autismus Ost | Social counselling & training: specialised in job coaching and social skills training (Soko) in eastern Switzerland. |
| Autism Research Institute (ARI) | International: leading in biomedical research (English). |
| FEBA Fachstelle | Nutrition & behaviour: counselling for food intolerances. |
AD(H)D
Attention deficit disorder with and without hyperactivity. These organisations offer specific support for people affected by AD(H)D or their parents. They are active regionally and help you with information or practical support.
| Organisation | Focus / core competency |
|---|---|
| elpos Schweiz | National umbrella association: first point of contact for parents and those affected; advice on school, upbringing, medication, and daily life. |
| Akademie ADHS 20plus | Focus on adults: specialised in coaching for studies, career entry, and the specific challenges of adulthood. |
| adhs-zentrum.ch | Information portal: extensive knowledge base on diagnostics and treatment options in Switzerland. |
| creactiv Coaching | Resource-based coaching: individual coaching for adults and family support (Stefan Heidelberger). |
| Jobcoaching plus | Learning therapy & work: support with work organisation and learning motivation in training or employment. |
| WE Dialogue | Holistic approach: support for high sensitivity, ADHD, and burnout prevention. |
| Selbsthilfe Schweiz | Regional groups: a portal for finding local parent groups or adult meet-ups. |