Dow Supports Education for Children with Autism

In April, which the United Nations has designated as autism awareness month worldwide, Dow provided gold sponsorship support for the Autism Cup Tennis Tournament, held for the first time this year in Istanbul.

"Play for Autism" was the slogan of the tournament, which attracted 660 licensed adult tennis players and was met with great interest by tennis enthusiasts. Aiming to sustain the awareness and change created by the tournament's impact, Dow plans to continue supporting the education of children with autism in cooperation with Sporben Otizmli Bireyler Spor ve Yaşam Eğitimi Derneği following the tournament. Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that limits an individual's ability to perceive the external world and use the information received. While it occurs in one out of every 68 children worldwide, it continues to spread rapidly in our time. A complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is congenital and typically identified within the first three years of life, autism is thought to result from a process affecting brain structure or function, based on research findings. Sponsoring the Autism Cup Tennis Tournament with the aim of raising awareness about autism, Dow plans to continue its corporate social responsibility efforts to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and contribute to their education.

Dow Turkey and Central Asia President İhsan Necipoğlu commented on the tournament, stating: "We are proud to have provided meaningful sponsorship support to the Autism Cup Tennis Tournament and to have supported children with autism and their families who continue their lives under difficult circumstances.

Through this support, we have attempted to raise public awareness regarding the problems faced by children with autism and their families. Going forward, we plan to continue participating in activities to be carried out in this field, raising awareness about autism, and contributing to the preparation of individuals with autism for life through sport," he said. Dow Coatings Materials (DCM) Southern and Eastern Europe and Turkey Commercial Director Cemal Drahor stated, "As Dow, we always pay careful attention to supporting efforts in the areas of inclusion and diversity in our company and in the societies where we operate. The Autism Cup Tennis Tournament, held for the first time in Turkey this year, is a project that brings together sport and autism awareness and is rarely seen in the world. We are pleased with the success achieved in the first year of this initiative and hope to see it grow with increased impact in the coming years," he said, emphasizing the importance Dow places on the tournament.

Sporben Otizm Aileleri Gençlik ve Spor Kulübü Derneği Founder Bener Erkorur expressed that they are pleased to have achieved their goals with the realization of the Autism Cup, which was organized with Dow's gold sponsorship and attracted 660 licensed adult (senior) tennis players.

Erkorur noted that sport, which places great importance on attention and concentration, also contributes to the effectiveness of the special education that individuals with autism receive. Stating that a reduction in hyperactivity situations is observed with sports discipline, and progress is recorded in attention development, waiting and sitting periods, Erkorur emphasized that positive developments are achieved in both the social lives and educational processes of children with autism, with the benefits of skill development and improved self-control. Erkorur also noted that through this tournament they organized, financial support was provided for one year of sports and life education for 4 individuals with autism. Erkorur said they have succeeded in popularizing the importance of sports education through the Autism Cup Tennis Tournament, adding that following the success achieved by the Autism Cup, their association has received applications from both abroad and within Turkey for participation in Sporben Otizmli Bireyler Spor ve Yaşam Eğitimi programs. Erkorur stated that project teams composed of therapists, specialist trainers and specialist educators have begun supporting the education of individuals with autism using revenues obtained from this tournament, and that they aim to continue the tournament in the coming years.