Tohum Autism Turkey Early Diagnosis and Educational Foundaton

I. Educational activities for children and their families
II. Awareness, Campaigns
III. Advocacy
IV. Projects
Projects:
• Autism Screening Project, 2005: made in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with the grant of EU. With this project, Tohum Autism Foundation made screening in 5 pilot cities: Izmir, Bursa, Adana, Kocaeli and Gaziantep.
46 000 children (babies from 18 to 36 months old) were screened via M-CHAT and CHAT tests as a result of this project.
Project lasted 18 months
EU Funding
• Promoting Full Participation of Children with Autism in the Society, by Improvement of Physical Independence, Mobility, Through Education, 2007: The EU Grant, taken under “Strengthening Civil Society in the Pre-Accession Process: NGO Grant Facility” was used to train teachers of Counselling and Research Centres on children with autism in Bursa, Adana, Gaziantep, Kocaeli, Izmir and Istanbul. Ministry of National Education was collaborated to run the project. Two other NGOs, one from Bursa (Bursa Otistik Çocuklar Eğitim Derneği) and one from Adana (Adana Otizm Derneği) were Tohum’s Project partners.
Project lasted 12 months
EU funding:
• Implementation and Policy Recommendation to Increase the Effectiveness of Inclusive/Integrated Education Practices in Turkey, 2010: In collaboration with Education Reform Initiative (ERI), and with the support of Sabancı Foundation, the Project was implemented in 3 pilot schools in Istanbul.
Project lasted 18 months.
Sabancı Foundation Funding:
• Increasing The Number Of Children With Autism Attended To The Pre-School Education By Creating An E-Learning Portal For Parents, 2010: Project aims to increase pre-schooling rate of children with autism through setting up a user-friendly e-learning portal.
Project lasted 12 months.
EU Funding: Please visit www.tohumotizmportali.org
• Strengthening Special Education in Turkey, 2011: Tohum is a consortium partner in the Technical Assistance Team of this project, which will last for 30 months.
• Teacher Trainings in Education Centers for Children With Autism (OÇEM), 2011 With the support of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and in collaboration with Provincial Directorates of Ministry of National Education, Tohum wants to increase the capacities of OÇEM teachers in Istanbul. To reach this aim, the Foundation gives training and supervision to these teachers.
Project lasted 10 months.
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Funding
• Increasing the Productivity of the young people with disability and integrating them in Labor Market, 2013
With the grant taken from Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), a vocational high school is constructed in one of the most crowded district in Istanbul, Beylikdüzü, training autistic individuals on business skills. Tohum Autism Foundation supervises this program and develops Turkey’s first business curriculum for autistic individuals.
Project lasted 9 months
Istanbul Development Agency Funding:
• Parent Seminars in Autism: To know is to Understand, 2012
Supported by The General Consulate of Netherlands MATRA Fund, the project aims to provide parents of children with autism with introductory knowledge on autism as well as basic skills to interact with children with autism.
Project lasted for 12 months.
MATRA Funding:
• My Tablet Speaks for Me I, 2013
Supported by the USA Consulate, the main aim of this project is to improve the education quality of children with autism in Turkey via technology use. The uses of new technology have been introduced as a method of teaching to the students with autism and their teachers and parents. (Tohum 1 via Apple store)
Project lasted for 11 months.
US Embassy Funding:
• My Tablet Speaks for Me II, 2014
Supported by the USA Consulate, the main aim of this project is to improve the education quality of children with autism in Turkey via technology use. The uses of new technology have been introduced as a method of teaching to the students with autism and their teachers and parents. This is the second part of “My Tablet Speaks for Me” and focuses on object matching, body parts and actions. (Tohum 2 via Apple store)
Project lasted for 9 months.
US Embassy Funding:
• Increasing Education Opportunities for Autistic Children by using Technology, 2014
With the support of Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), and in collaboration with Provincial Directorates of Ministry of National Education, Tohum forms a special online game, which helps children learning basic concepts. This game will be available via web site, android and IOS tablets. (www.tohumegitim.com )
Project lasted for 9 months.
Istanbul Development Agency Funding:
• Give way to my Independence! 2014
Financed by E.U, To support the independent living of people with developmental disabilities (mental disabilities and autism) through supporting them to go out in the street; therefore contributing to the equal citizenship of disabled people in the society.
Project lasted for 12 months.
US Embassy Funding:
• Special Education Class in Saint Joseph High school, 2014
For the first time in Turkey, a private school establishes a “Special Education Class” for autistic individuals, ages between 14- 21 years old. Private Tohum Autism Foundation Special Needs School supervises and shares know-how about special education and curriculum.