Tohum Autism Foundation Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary

Tohum Autism Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary Since 15 April 2003, Tohum Autism Foundation has been working with children, young people and families diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and now marks its 20th year. The foundation, working with the aim of ensuring early diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorder, integrating them into society through special education, and promoting this nationwide, has made a difference in the lives of 760,000 autistic children and their families through both the children it educates at its own special education school and the projects it implements. Continuing its work in light of the principles of scientific rigor, leadership and pioneering efforts, Tohum Turkey Autism Early Diagnosis and Education Foundation has been working for 20 years to integrate children with autism spectrum disorder into society through early diagnosis and education, and to ensure that autistic children and their families benefit from education and health services on equal terms and opportunities. Since its establishment, Tohum Autism Foundation has carried out screening and early diagnosis work, strengthening special education with autism-specific materials and curriculum, training teachers in autism and increasing their professional capacity, increasing the knowledge and awareness levels of families and the public on autism, strengthening the institutional capacity and advocacy of civil society organizations working on autism, and employment of autistic individuals, among many other activities. Over 20 years, it has touched the lives of 760,987 autistic children and their families through both its school students and projects across the country.

What has Tohum Autism Foundation accomplished in 20 years?

By touching the lives of 760,987 autistic children and families across Turkey: • Provided Turkey with a model and exemplary school on autism. To date, a total of 2,540 children have received education at this school and 1,133 children have been provided with scholarship support. • Within the scope of projects carried out with the Ministry of Health, 55,919 children underwent autism risk screening for the first time in Turkey. • Provided teacher training, curriculum and material support to 164 state schools educating autistic children. • Provided autism training to 17,391 teachers and 2,606 health personnel. • Through the free Autism Education Portal (www.tohumotizmportali.org), reached approximately 35,000 users to date. • For the first time in Turkey, developed software for the education of autistic children and made the first Turkish applications, Tohum 1 & Tohum 2, Concept Teaching and Listen Understand tablet applications available for free use. By updating these applications, it reintroduced them as Tohum Education, Listen Speak and Tohum Autism, reaching 58,048 downloads. • Distributed 205,573 copies of "Autism Education Kit", "What Will Happen Now in Autism?", "Education, Therapy and Treatment Methods in Autism", and "Healthy Bodies Guide" booklets free of charge. • Established the Continuous Education Unit in 2015 to enable nationwide expansion of seminars and training provided for family and expert educator training, and the development of new technological applications, reaching a total of 39,717 families, educators and university students through conducted training. • Reached a total of 9,547 families, civil society representatives, educators and university students through online seminars and training from January 2020 to date. • For the first time in Turkey, developed a work and life curriculum for autistic youth and ensured its continuation at the Beylikdüzü Special Education Work Practice Centre. • Opened a Guidance Unit within Özel Tohum Foundation Special Education School to provide counselling services to families reaching the Foundation from throughout Turkey and to conduct educational assessments for their autistic children. Through free assessments and training, it reached a total of 19,940 children, families, educators and university students. • For the first time in Turkey, collaborated with the private sector in implementing a job coach-supported employment model. Work was carried out to prepare special curriculum at workplaces for the employment of autistic individuals, on-site specialist training, training of supervisors and job coaches, and dissemination of the employment model. Today, through this project, 12 people are employed at a dairy products company operating in Bursa, 1 person at an international pharmaceutical company in Istanbul, and 1 autistic staff member at a logistics company headquartered in Istanbul. • Tohum Autism Foundation carried out numerous campaigns and advocacy work to raise awareness of autism in Turkey. In 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, autism perception and knowledge level research was conducted nationwide with the support of GFK Turkey research firm. In 2015, autism perception and knowledge level in our country was 29%. Through awareness-raising activities, autism perception and knowledge level increased to 83% levels. • On 2 April World Autism Awareness Day, Tohum Autism Foundation is the representative in Turkey of the 'Light It Up Blue' campaign launched by Autism Speaks Organisation in the United States and gaining attention worldwide to raise autism awareness. The Light It Up Blue for Autism campaign was implemented between 2014-2021. In 2022, the campaign was redesigned, shifting from the awareness colour blue to eye-catching red, aiming to promote acceptance of autism, the inclusion of autistic individuals at every point in life, and to support them in expressing their rights and preferences regarding their lives. Since 2022, the Light It Up Red for Autism campaign has been carried out. "In autism, education is the only remedy for autism" Tohum Autism Foundation President Mine Narin made special statements about the 20th anniversary: "20 years ago, we founded Tohum Autism Foundation with our valued friend Aylin Sezgin, Vice President of the Foundation. Our goal was early diagnosis and education of our autistic children. In those years, very few people knew that autism was a separate problem from other developmental disorders. Through our awareness campaigns and all our advocacy work and projects, we were able to convey that autism is a separate problem, and we still have much work to do on this issue. Looking forward, our goal is to ensure that every autistic child in our country receives one-on-one education, and to provide scholarship support to as many children as possible. We will continue to stand by autistic children and families affected by the earthquake through the projects we undertake. Over 20 years, we again thank the colleagues who worked at the foundation and our school, our founders, our management boards, our scientific advisory body, our social committee, our parents, and all supporters who did not withhold their donations. Our goals are great for the next 20 years to come. We hope to continue to expand the foundation's work. Not a single child should be left outside our education system or out of school – they should all have access to quality education. Because in autism, education is the only remedy for autism.''