PRESS RELEASE June 1, 2026

TOHUM Autism Foundation's new public service announcement, “Time to Stand by Me Now,” which strikingly illustrates the unseen daily challenges faced by individuals with autism, makes their world visible while drawing attention to the importance of early diagnosis and quality education.

“Pioneering early diagnosis and access to quality education for children with autism spectrum disorder and operating since 2003 to spread these efforts across Turkey, the TOHUM Autism Foundation brings the sensory and social difficulties faced by children with autism in daily life to the screen with an impressive narrative in its new public service announcement.

Scenes where climbing an ordinary staircase feels like scaling Everest in a blizzard, and where a doorbell echoes in the mind like giant church bells, reveal that autistic individuals can experience an intense struggle even in seemingly simple moments. In one of the striking scenes of the public service announcement, it is depicted how a gentle touch feels like a bed of needles for an autistic child sitting in a barber's chair. The feeling of “being left out” while playing with peers at the park makes the difficulties autistic children face in participating in social life visible.

“I didn't write the rules of life, but I live in it”

Featured in the film “I didn't write the rules of this life, but I live in them. I know you're aware, now is the time to stand by my side.” The message invites society to move beyond mere awareness and support the educational journey of children with autism. TOHUM Autism Foundation draws attention to intensive, continuous, and scientifically based special education, which is the most effective way to develop communication, social adaptation, daily living, and independence skills in children with autism, and calls on everyone to contribute to their education through donations.

To watch the public service announcement signed by Alaaddin and produced by adisebaba.ai: https://youtu.be/RLh-bWMf5K0