Now is the time to stand by me

“For the communication campaign titled ”Now is the Time to Stand by My Side," a video was produced that highlights the sensory and social challenges individuals with autism face in daily life. The video, which depicts through striking scenes how seemingly ordinary moments can be overwhelming for a child with autism, was approved by RTÜK to be broadcast as a public service announcement. The campaign aims to encourage society to move beyond mere awareness and stand by autistic children on their educational journey.

“First Early Diagnosis, Then Give a Chance”

“Within the scope of our communication campaign titled ”First Early Diagnosis, Then Give a Chance,“ a public service announcement film has been prepared, emphasizing how children with autism can be supported through early diagnosis and intensive special education. The film, which includes a call to ”give them a chance" through donations to be made for the education of children with autism, has been approved by RTÜK as a public service announcement.

My Success Story

“For the communication campaign titled ”My Success Story", a video was filmed based on the success story of a real autistic youth who learned to socialize, overcame obsessive behaviors, and adapted to social life thanks to the education he received at the TOHUM Autism Foundation Practice School. Filmed at Müze Gazhane, the video was approved by RTÜK to be broadcast as a public service announcement. To reach a wider audience, billboard, poster, and ad designs for the campaign were displayed in outdoor and digital media belonging to both the public and private sectors.

Red Light for Autism!

On April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, with the Light It Up Blue Campaign that has been ongoing since 2009 to draw public attention to autism, a big and important step was taken in 2022 to turn autism awareness into acceptance, and the message ‘Light It Up Red for Autism’ was given. By choosing red, attention was drawn to enabling autistic individuals to have a say and express their choices regarding their lives at home, at school, in the workplace, and in social life.

As part of the campaign, many iconic structures, particularly the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul, as well as the Eskisehir Fairy Tale Castle, the Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys, and the Izmit Clock Tower, were illuminated with red light. Private sector buildings were also illuminated with red light, conveying a message of solidarity to support individuals with autism. Thousands of people, members of the press, and celebrities participated in the campaign by wearing red and sharing posts on their social media accounts, supporting the initiative by publishing messages about autism using the hashtag #OtizmeKırmızıIşıkYak. The TV series Kizilcik Serbeti, broadcast on Show TV, drew attention to autism with the message, “Shine a red light for autism awareness too!” With the support of the Turkish Football Federation, banners reading “Shine a red light for autism during autism awareness month” were displayed at Fenerbahce and Besiktas matches.

Turn on a Red Light for Autism! (Launch Year)

On April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, the TOHUM Autism Foundation—which has served as Turkey’s ambassador for the ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign, launched to draw public attention to autism, since 2009— took a major and significant step this year toward transforming autism awareness into acceptance by delivering the message ’Turn on a Red Light for Autism.’ In the evening, iconic structures—most notably the Osmangazi Bridge—were illuminated with red lights. On April 2, 6,941 posts were shared on social media using the hashtag ##OtizmeKırmızıIşıkYak, reaching 20,751,104 people across all social media accounts.

Data Donation, Unfocused and Reverse Pronouns

Data Donation Campaign: It was launched on February 14, Valentine's Day, with the support of the 4129 Grey agency. With the call, “Come on, log in to WhatsApp this February 14th and send a blue heart to 0536 019 40 66, donate your phone number for children with autism,’ 982 people donated their phone numbers.

Unfocused Campaign: To raise awareness for autism by being unable to focus, Ali Eyüboğlu mentioned the attention deficit and focusing issues seen in children with autism in his column in Milliyet Newspaper, and Hilal Özgani did the same in her program "Rengarenk" on Dream Türk TV, as well as Polat Labar in his program "Akşam Akşam" on Radyo D.

Inverse Pronouns & Actually Autistic: Designed to draw attention to speech differences, the campaign appeared on billboards and in newspaper advertisements featuring the message “It feels like nobody understands me!” written in the handwriting of a child with autism. On December 3rd, it reached 4,115,335 people with the hashtag #aslındaotizmliler.

A Different School & The Real Remedy

A Different School: The school building was constructed in Minecraft. A location-independent educational space was created; a special training program featuring 3D printing, sculpture-painting, and introductory-level coding lessons was prepared.

The Real Remedy: Stickers reading “The Real Remedy is Early Diagnosis and Education” were placed over the malicious ads on the streets. A custom Giphy sticker was prepared for Instagram.

Tohuma Be Hope!: With the support of Neslihan Atagül Doğulu, a call was made to "be a hope for children with autism in the new year." It achieved 1,374,721 views on Instagram.

Autism in 10 Seconds & Media Campaigns

Autism in 10 Seconds: In collaboration with the Çukur series, 8 videos featuring Aras Bulut İynemli, Rıza Kocaoğlu, and Dilan Çiçek Deniz were filmed. They received a total of 3,940,978 views.

Symptom Spot & Unexpected Jingle: On Best FM, 8 Teknosa commercials were broadcast back-to-back to draw attention to the repetitive behaviors of autism. On Radyo D, awareness was raised about autism through jingles interrupting at unrelated moments. Both campaigns were deemed worthy of Felis Achievement Awards.

Light Blue for Autism & When I Grow Up

Light It Up Blue for Autism: On April 2, the #otizmemaviisikyak hashtag broke a Twitter record by receiving 51,685 tweets. The FSM and Bosphorus bridges were illuminated with blue light.

When I Grow Up: With the support of Starbucks, www.benbuyuyunce.com was launched. The cast of the TV series Poyraz Karayel performed the campaign song. Brochures were placed in 230 Starbucks stores.

Somebody Explain It to Me Special — NTV

In the program hosted by Can Dündar and Gülay Afşar, Temple Grandin's film was broadcast for the first time. Superstar Ajda Pekkan sang songs for mothers of children with autism.

Participants of the Program

I am Aware of Autism: Special Beyaz Show

On the program hosted by Beyazıt Öztürk on Kanal D, giant names collected donations on a live broadcast. Viewers got the chance to win the celebrities' memorabilia.

Names Joining the Live Broadcast

Every Child is a Jewel

Sponsored by Gilan, unique pieces of jewelry designed by 10 prominent figures such as Caroline Koç, Suzan Sabancı Dinçer, and Mine Narin were sold at an auction at Adile Sultan Palace.

Designers and Volunteer List

DOGUS Promotional Campaign

The Awareness Campaign launched by the foundation on January 3, 2005, gets its name from Doğuş’s true story. The campaign achieved great success and resonated widely in society.

City Distribution (Number of People)

Tohuma Su Gerek & Danilo Giannoni

Italian marbling artist Danilo Giannoni The proceeds from the marbled paper (ebru) works carried out with [Name] were donated to the foundation. Danilo Giannoni gives great support to these projects because he spent the first six years of his childhood as a disabled child.

Gift One-Day Shopping Fairs

2012: Seminars by Ayşe Arman, Yankı Yazgan, Serdar Gülgün, and Nurhan Atasoy were held at the Sait Halim Pasha Mansion.

2007 "A Dream A Basket": Special baskets prepared by names such as Ali Koç, Adnan Polat, Caroline Koç, and Mine Narin have been put up for sale.