Please tell a little about yourself and your role with autism in Greece.

“Autism – Asperger Hellas” is an NGO dedicated to contributing to the improvement of autistic people’s living standards and to ensuring they have a decent life exploring their full potential. Among our primary goals is promoting autism awareness in the local community, fighting the stigma, training education professionals and supporting health professionals.

Our two main projects at present are the launching of our updated site www.autismhellas.gr with very encouraging results and the support of the Special Day Care Unit of the Attica Psychiatric Hospital for children, a leading structure in the area of early intervention in Greece. More is planned for the near future.
Our Organization has a membership of parents of affected children and prominent scientists in the field. Our scientific advisor is Dr. Stergios Notas, Head of the Day Care Unit, a leading authority on Autism in Greece. (notas@autismhellas.gr)

What is the prevalence of autism in Greece (if known)?

We know that in the UK, 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with autism, and in the US the number is 1 in 150. This is a question that requires further study here, as no studies have been conducted using globally standardized methods and diagnostic tools.

There is a core group of dedicated Greek researchers who have been studying autism for years, and they are actively seeking funding to establish the prevalence of autism in Greece. Again Dr. Notas could be more enlightening on the subject.

Within the general culture of Greece, how aware are people of autism? How accepting are they of autism?

Although Greece is proud of a culture that is based on tolerance and acceptance and despite the fact that social networks in the limited sense of families as well as in the extended one of the community are functioning as a safety net, autism emerged as a social issue only during the last few years thanks to the efforts of a handful of scientists and parents. Lack of state funding for research and proper supportive structures within the educational and health system, delayed diagnosis, lack of training programmes for teachers and parents, lack of a unified and structured awareness campaign and a reluctance of several parents to accept the condition of their children and step forward are some of the contributing factors to this. Experience has shown that local communities can be accepting and supportive as long as they have proper “coaching”. This where efforts like ours come in.

What are the largest struggles for people with autism in Greece? Is there a story you know personally that demonstrates this struggle?

Social integration is a life struggle for people with autism in Greece as elsewhere. Ensuring that autistic children are treated differentially according to their functioning level is also problematic. Educational integration is a pressing problem as long as the system operates in a rigid, insensitive manner. Thus for an autistic child to achieve its full potential often requires extra effort and money if at all accomplished. Adults with autism also face a degree of problems, according to the severity of their situation, from finding suitable employment to securing a place where autonomous, semi-autonomous or supported living is provided for them.
There are many stories (I fear too many) that exemplify these quick points. My 10 year-old-son’s to start with (who is struggling to attend mainstream school) and of many other boys and girls giving their everyday battles.

What have been some of the greatest successes in Greece in regards to autism?

One could say that progress has been made in the following fields:
Raising awareness: Autism is an issue now discussed publicly, covered (although not as much as the autistic community would like) by the media and addressed as such by the educational community.
Legislation: A number of Acts have been passed (although with dubious results) concerning the rights of the autistic people.
Research: A very active scientific community (inadequately funded) is trying to develop tools for diagnosis and intervention.

Is there anything else about autism and Greece you would like to share?

The autistic community is a vibrant one. It possesses the will and the potential to make itself heard and can contribute its own unique voice and perspective. We feel that now is the time to become part of a broader picture. That is why we feel that such contacts and cooperation can only benefit people with autism in Greece.