The “Cooperation Protocol on Autism Spectrum Disorders Education and Awareness Studies” was signed on 15 December 2021 between the General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and the Tohum Autism Foundation of Turkey.

On December 15, 2021, "Autism Spectrum Disorders Education and Awareness Studies Cooperation Protocol" was signed between the Ministry of Family and Social Services, General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, and the Tohum Autism Foundation of Turkey, which continues its efforts to ensure cooperation with universities and non-governmental organizations in the field of Autism.

General Director of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, Spc. Dr. Orhan KOÇ signed the protocol with Aylin SEZGİN, Founding Vice President of the Turkish Autism and Education Foundation (TOHUM).

It was stated that with the cooperation protocol, information and trainings will be organized on the training of personnel working in inpatient and day care institutions and their families, informing the society and raising awareness. In addition, it is aimed to develop a project for children with autism diagnosed as a result of the autism screening and follow-up program to benefit from early intervention services and to develop an independent life model for individuals with autism staying in care institutions.

At the protocol signing ceremony, General Director of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, Spc. Dr. Orhan KOÇ emphasizing the importance of such collaborations, stated that they are happy to add a new one to the information and awareness studies carried out with universities in the field of autism so far.

Spc. Dr. Orhan KOÇ also emphasized that with the support of universities and civil society, joint work on day care centres training modules will increase the capacity and contribute to reducing the burden of care on the family who care for individuals with ASD at home.

Aylin SEZGİN, Vice President of the Autism Foundation of Turkey, stated that they are happy to cooperate with the General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, and that their experiences in the field of autism will be beneficial in the studies to be carried out with our General Directorate.