May 8th, 2024
Tohum Autism Foundation Sheds Light on the Last 20 Years of Autism in the World and in Turkey
To mark its 20th anniversary, Tohum Autism Foundation organized a symposium titled “The Last 20 Years of Autism in the World and in Türkiye,” hosted by Istanbul Kültür University. The event was held to support the development of more effective and inclusive strategies in the education of children with autism. In addition to 13 distinguished experts in the field of autism, three young adults with autism who are active in the workforce also shared their personal experiences.
In her opening speech, Aylin Sezgin, Chair of Tohum Autism Foundation, emphasized that since its founding, the Foundation has been working to ensure early diagnosis and special education for children with autism, reaching over 830,822 children and families to date. She affirmed their ongoing commitment to helping every child with autism reach their full potential in the years ahead.
Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, speaking on behalf of Istanbul Kültür University, stated:
“Today, we are witnessing a valuable effort to raise awareness about autism. With our Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, and affiliated research centers, we view our partnership with Tohum Autism Foundation as part of our responsibility to individuals and society.”
Following the opening speeches, the symposium addressed the past two decades of autism across three key areas: psychiatry, education, and workforce inclusion. One session was also dedicated to the 20-year journey of Tohum Autism Foundation and the impact of its educational institutions and projects.
“We need more organizations working in the field of autism, both in Türkiye and globally”
In the psychiatry session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Yankı Yazgan, he reflected:
“When we look at the developments in autism over the past 20 years, we see no revolutionary breakthroughs in treatment. But this should not be viewed negatively—it simply highlights that we need another 20 years and more institutions dedicated to this field, both in Türkiye and around the world.”
“We urgently need a system where special and general education work together in inclusion classes”
In the second session, which focused on the evolution of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in education, Prof. Dr. Bülbin Sucuoğlu discussed how many countries have integrated inclusive education into their legal frameworks. She noted that while autism awareness in society has increased in Türkiye, there is an urgent need to build an integrated system where special and general education can operate together for children with autism.
For the First Time: First-Hand Accounts from Autistic Adults in the Workforce
One of the most engaging sessions of the symposium featured, for the first time at a scientific conference, first-person accounts from autistic individuals working in professional settings. Selin Zülal Önal, a student of Tohum Autism Foundation Educational Institutions, shared her personal story of living with autism since birth—how she overcame challenges with the support of her family and education, and how she successfully entered the workforce.
“Education is the First Step Toward Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Autism”
In her closing remarks, Burçak Karakaya, General Manager of Tohum Autism Foundation, stated:
“Since day one, we have emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and the transformative power of special education. Equal opportunity is essential for everyone. For individuals with autism to achieve equal opportunity in life, education is the first and most crucial step.
In Türkiye, there are over 2 million individuals with autism, impacting more than 8 million family members. Among nearly 700,000 children and youth with autism aged 0–18, only about 42,000 currently have access to education. According to İŞKUR data, only 100 individuals with autism are active in the workforce. And yet, individuals with autism belong in all areas of life—in school, at work, and in society.”
Karakaya concluded:
“Each individual with autism has unique educational, social, and life needs. That’s why we must raise autism awareness across all segments of society to better understand these differences and foster social acceptance. We will continue to explore and implement new, inclusive, and scientifically grounded approaches to autism education in Türkiye.
Teachers play a vital role in this process. We remain committed to publishing educational resources to strengthen their capacities, offering professional development, and empowering families as part of our ongoing mission.”
