Description
The projects involves the setting up of 4 experiential workshops (art, pottery, writing, storytelling) that will provide opportunities for expression and treatment for young people and children with autism. It will run for 18 months and will be the starting point of a series of actions aiming at establishing of a permanent therapeutic art workshop. It is going to evolve into a Day Center or a Center for Creative Activities, something that is missing from the region. It will provide its services to over 30 people and their families. The experiential workshops will have an educational and therapeutic role. These will run 3 times a week, giving solutions to young people, children and their families. Support will be provided to families via group therapy and art therapy to parents. It will also serve as a basis to promote volunteerism.
Summary of project results
According to valid international scientific studies, autism is increasing dramatically with 1 in 68 children developing the disorder. In Greece and particularly in Crete the structures available to support people with autism and their families are few and rudimentary. Especially in rural areas of Crete, there are no services providing support and assistance to people with autism and their families. With this in mind, several years ago we set up the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Autism Disorders of Rethymno with multifaceted actions intended to raise awareness and provide information to the general public while simultaneously focusing on people with autism with regard to their education and rights and supporting their families. Rethymno Prefecture in the Region of Crete lacks any comparable body catering to children with autism and undertaking actions for the free provision of creative workshop services to people with autism in Crete. The action “Visual Arts Therapy and Expression Workshops for Children and Young People with Autism and Special Educational Needs” provided four visual arts therapy and expression workshops for children with autism and special educational needs: Clay Workshop, Visual Arts Workshop, Writing, Storytelling, Creative Expression Workshop, Parent Support Group. A total of 30 children and young people with autism have taken part on a continuous basis from October 2014 to the present day. The impact of the action has been significant. The visual arts workshops were held three times a week, with a targeted educational, social and therapeutic role. Our workshop programme also formed the nucleus of a project to train 150 student volunteers in provision of services to people with autism, with the support of the Education Departments of the University of Crete. The action has achieved and exceeded its objectives. Over 30 children and 30 parents have participated in our workshops. Over 150 student volunteers have been trained by the professional therapists and specialist teachers of the programme. As of September 2016, we will be establishing a permanent structure unique in Crete: a Creative Occupation Centre for People with Autism that will provide support on a permanent basis to 22 children with autism aged four to 17. We also plan to support other age groups (adolescents and adults) and further actions with regard to employment, the right to work and independent living
Summary of bilateral results