A Radio Spot Born from a Dialogue with Children with Autism!

Tohum Autism Foundation Launches Campaign for Autism Awareness

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental difference that is present from birth and typically identified within the first three years of life.
Scientific research shows that with early diagnosis and appropriate educational interventions, approximately 50% of children with autism who receive intensive education can make significant developmental progress—and some may even become indistinguishable from their peers by adolescence.
To enable early diagnosis, it is vital to recognize the signs of autism and to raise awareness.

Based on one of the key signs of autism—speech and communication difficulties—Tohum Autism Foundation launched the “Autism Dialogues” campaign in collaboration with 4129Grey Agency, Ekşi Sözlük, and Best FM.

As the first step in the campaign, the Ekşi Sözlük entry titled “Conversations with autistic children” was corrected to reflect respectful and appropriate terminology: “Conversations with children with autism.”
Tohum Autism Foundation then contributed authentic dialogues to the new thread via its official account. One of these entries was transformed into a radio spot, which was aired on Yasemin Şefik’s “Hitnoz” program on Best FM.

Following the broadcast, Yasemin Şefik explained the purpose of the spot and handed over the floor to Tohum Autism Foundation General Manager Betül Selcen Özer.
Özer highlighted how the differences seen in dialogues with children with autism reflect symptoms of communication challenges, offering detailed insights into autism and its indicators.

The radio spot was later embedded directly under the Ekşi Sözlük entry titled “Conversations with children with autism.”

Through shared posts and a joint livestream on their social media platforms, Tohum Autism Foundation, Ekşi Sözlük, and Best FM further amplified autism awareness in the digital space.

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The Only Known Treatment: Early Diagnosis and Intensive, Continuous Special Education

Today, 1 in every 59 children is born at risk of autism, and a child is diagnosed with autism every 20 minutes. As the prevalence of autism increases rapidly, the only proven method for progress is early diagnosis followed by intensive and continuous special education.

Common symptoms of autism include:

• Lack of eye contact

• Not responding when their name is called

• Delayed speech or limited communication

• Inability to point to indicate needs

• Lack of interest in peer play

• Rocking, flapping, or walking on tiptoes

• Obsessive behaviors or intense interest in spinning objects

If families notice behaviors in their children that differ from those of their same-age peers, they should consult a child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in autism without delay.