February 6th, 2024
Tohum Autism Foundation Continues Its Efforts for Children with Autism and Their Families Affected by the Earthquake
Following the devastating earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, Tohum Autism Foundation quickly mobilized to support autistic children and their families in the region. The Foundation, which launched numerous initiatives to stand by them, will continue its efforts throughout 2024 to help children with autism in the disaster zone access quality education.
The series of earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş in February 2023 caused immense destruction and loss of life, plunging the entire country into deep mourning. The disaster affected 11 provinces and millions of people. Immediately after the earthquakes, Tohum Autism Foundation set out to support autistic children and their families in the region. Over the past year, through both on-the-ground and digital efforts, the Foundation reached a total of 37,611 individuals, including 1,559 autistic children, 2,661 family members, and 108 teachers.
Disasters Pose Greater Challenges for Individuals with Special Needs Like Autism
It is estimated that 114,000 autistic children were affected by the earthquakes. Considering that each autistic child is typically part of a four-person family, the number of people impacted by autism in the disaster zone rises to approximately 450,000.
Aware that emergencies such as natural disasters can be significantly more challenging for children with special needs and their families, the Foundation launched a solidarity hotline from the very first day of the disaster. Through this hotline, over 450 calls were received from families of autistic children, and their needs were addressed in collaboration with the Ministry of Family and Social Services (ASHB), local NGOs, and regional volunteers.
To raise awareness among search and rescue teams, the Foundation developed an informational guide on how to identify and interact with autistic children. This guide reached 32,200 people. Additionally, approximately 1,021 people benefited from expert-led webinars on how to support autistic individuals and their families during disasters and emergencies.
Projects Launched to Help Autistic Children Access Education—Their Only Lifeline
Emphasizing the importance of early, intensive, and science-based special education for autism, Tohum Autism Foundation launched the “Education and Technology Support Project” to help children affected by the earthquakes return to learning. Through this project, the Foundation prepared kits tailored to the needs of children aged 0–18, including educational materials, educational toys, tablets, and headphones.
As part of the initiative, the Foundation visited 6 cities, 20 districts, and 45 villages, delivering a total of 1,824 kits, including 971 educational toy kits and 853 technological education kits.
Container Classrooms Established to Continue the Education of Autistic Children in the Disaster Zone
With the establishment of container cities, the Foundation partnered with the Ministry of Health and the Malatya Health Directorate to launch the Tohum Autism Foundation Support Education Container in Malatya. Through this initiative, 29 autistic children and youth received 281 hours of special education.
In schools within the Umut Container Cities established by Koç Holding in Hatay and Adıyaman, the Foundation, with the support of donors, set up 4 special education container classrooms for autistic students. These classrooms aim to reach 16 students with autism, 32 parents, and 8 teachers.
Over the past year, the Foundation also provided educational materials and support to 10 special education classrooms in public schools under the Ministry of Education across Adana, Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Mersin. In February 2024, Tohum Autism Foundation will continue its recovery efforts by equipping additional classrooms in Adıyaman and Hatay, helping autistic children and their families access quality education once again.
A Message from Tohum Autism Foundation Vice President Aylin Sezgin on the First Anniversary of the Earthquakes:
“As we mark the first anniversary of the February 6 Earthquakes, we have not forgotten the pain we experienced. Like everyone else, we still carry the grief of those we lost in our hearts.
From the very beginning, under the leadership of our Board of Directors and with the active participation of our Foundation’s Social Committee, we have worked to meet the needs of autistic children and their families across the 11 affected provinces.
It will take years to rebuild lives and return to normal in the earthquake-stricken cities. We will continue to stand by autistic children and their families to ensure equal access to education, the only proven path for individuals with autism.
We carry out all these efforts thanks to the generous support of our individual and corporate donors. We extend our sincere thanks to all supporters, as well as to the public institutions and civil society organizations we have collaborated with in the field.”
