Istanbul Autism Volunteers Association made a call with the title \u201cAwareness is not enough, we need a system\u201d on the occasion of April 2nd Awareness Day and Awareness Month.<\/p>\n
The statement signed by the President of the Association, Sarah Basar, is as follows:<\/p>\n
365 days of Autism.
\nNot a day, but a lifetime.
\nAnd one day of awareness is not enough for a lifetime of situations.
\nAutism is a neurodevelopmental difference that is congenital and persists throughout life.
\nBut autism is not a deficiency, a disease or a \u201cdefect to be cured\u201d.
\nWith the right support, the right education and a strong social system, autism can change the life of the individual.
\nis a difference that can be meaningfully and independently sustained.
\nToday, the reality in Turkey is different.
\nAt the age of 3, the struggle begins...
\nFamilies wait for months for an appointment for early diagnosis within the health system.
\nEven with a diagnosis, access to the appropriate educational institution is often not possible.
\nSpecial education hours are insufficient, the number of qualified specialists is limited, and the economic situation we are in
\nexpensive in the circumstances.
\nSchool age
\nInclusive education remains on paper in most places.
\nClassrooms are crowded, teachers are unsupported.
\nThere is no support education for a student with autism; if a class is opened, there are no materials.
\nThere are many classrooms without camera systems.
\nPeer bullying, exclusion and systematic segregation and isolation become commonplace.
\nIn adolescence
\nWith inadequacies in the education system, behavioral problems increase and support mechanisms decrease.
\nFamilies are often left alone.
\nIn adulthood
\nEducation ends, life falls into the void.
\nEmployment is almost non-existent.
\nDaytime social life and support services are inadequate.
\nThe number and quality of care centers is inadequate, and it is often not possible to access accessible and safe services.
\nAnd in old age
\nThere is almost no planning for people with autism.
\n\u201cThe question \u201dWhat will happen after us?\" remains unanswered.
\nThis picture is not a coincidence, it is a system problem.<\/p>\n
The problems we face on the ground today are common, not exceptional:
\n- Families unable to access an appointment
\n- Inadequate special education services
\n- Unsupervised care centers
\n- Lack of response mechanism in emergency crisis situations
\n- Children with autism that we lost due to lack of timely and appropriate intervention in cases of assault, violence and neglect
\n- Hundreds of thousands of children cut off from education
\n- Lost generations in the absence of systems for adult individuals with autism.<\/p>\n
We are not the only ones saying this.
\nThe field spoke, civil society reported, the Parliament listened.
\nThe Autism Action Plan, prepared by non-governmental organizations working in the field of autism, is a roadmap created with data from the field for years.
\nThis plan is not just wishful thinking; it is based on real cases, real families and real needs.<\/p>\n
Moreover, these problems were openly expressed by the representatives of our association in the \u201cCommission on Strengthening the Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Social Life\u201d established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and were recorded in the minutes.<\/p>\n
It was stated in the Commission deliberations:<\/p>\n
The problems are known.
\nSolutions are also known.
\nWhat is missing is implementation.
\nAutism is not a matter of awareness, it is a matter of rights.
\nAutism is not an individual struggle, it is a public responsibility.
\nAutism is not a topic of the day, it is a state policy.<\/p>\n
Real change only:
\nIt is possible with implemented action plans, audited systems and accountable public policies.<\/p>\n
OUR DEMANDS
\n- Accelerating early diagnosis and evaluation processes
\n- Quality and number of hours accessible special education over 2 hours per week
\n- A truly inclusive education system
\n- Tracking children disengaged from education
\n- Life and employment models for adults
\n- Emergency response and crisis support units
\n- Sustainable support mechanisms for families
\n- Reliable, auditable maintenance and training systems
\n- Concrete state reassurance on the question \u201cWhat will happen after us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Because the truth is this;
\n#AwarenessNotEnoughSystemNeed<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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