National Report Hellas

Professional orientation of people with autism

Autism is one of the heaviest syndromes affecting a catalytic degree of intellectual and emotional development of the child. The prognosis is often non optimistic and limited opportunities for rehabilitation exists. The early infancy or childhood and infantile autism are not frequent. 3-4 per 10,000 children will present autistic disorders and 3 to 4 will be boys regardless of the socio-economic status of their parents.

According to the World Health Organization, in addition to the specific diagnostic features (impairment in social interaction, delayed or complete lack of development of language, idiosyncratic use of the word code, stereotyped patterns of behavior, limited  interests and activities, etc.) Autistic individuals often develop and  many other  collateral  problematic behaviors,  such as phobias, sleep disorders and nutrition, temper tantrums, aggression, self-injury, lack spontaneity, initiative and creativity in organization of leisure time, difficulty in using concepts and decision making in their work.

Less known is the syndrome Asperger, a rare disorder characterized by a lack of capacity for social relations and the dealing with particular interests and activities with a mechanical routine manner. Frequency of 1/10.000 and is presented predominantly in boys 8 boys / 1 girl)

Early infantile autism is a syndrome that can hardly be handled by parents without the psychological and pedagogical support from specialists. The deviation from the child's "normal behavior" is so obvious (especially after the age of three years, during which the disorder exposes a more acute utter lack or inadequacy of linguistic evolution) the use of a specialized intervention center is an immediate need. The embarrassment of parents accentuates the finding that the problem derives its causes in genetics - biological factors that affect perceptual damage the learning process. Indeed, the first psychodynamic approaches autistic behavior incriminating parents for the manifestation of autism, creating more confusion than what hermeneutic dialectic. Today, however, empirical findings from behavioral interventions (behavior modification) show that they can - after systemic therapy - to achieve impressive results where parents are actively involved in their child's education.

When choosing profession, we must take seriously into account the characteristics of the autistic person. For example, patients with this syndrome can more easily understand the place, despite the whole. This leads them into occupations or laboratory researcher in sheltered contexts, museums and archaeological sites.

People with autism may engage in work involving repetition of movements. Some of them have artistic skills, dealing with painting, some others can be occupied with farming, washing dishes or clothes, tuning up pianos or participating in standardized processes in factories (production line). The activities that can be creatively employed are music, swimming, cycling, excursions into the wild, puzzles etc.

The ability of the autistic student to focus on detail and observe any discontinuity, or understand the slightest inconsequential item or something that is asymmetric and alters a smooth pattern, makes him/her an ideal observer of microscope or telescope. Really, these people are much more effective at discovering novel cells or lesions stars than most of their colleagues.

The director of guidance should focus on the positive qualities associated with autism and realize that the severity of the syndrome does not negate the unique, distinct personality of each. Their passion for certain procedures, attention to detail and amazing memory in some areas can be considered only qualifications for a particular job. The autistic person can work in the office to deal with a standard and repeatable process (closing envelopes, stamps, forms management) without engaging in complex social interactions with colleagues. The proverbial patience and the fact that it derives pleasure from chores that others find boring, make him/ her even more productive.

The lack of interest in socializing, may make him/her unfit for public relations and advertising, but gives him/her a comparative advantage for tasks requiring personal, solitary pastime.  Autistic people’s favorite subjects are nature, agricultural, tours, grooming flower, understanding the various species in the animal kingdom. Environmental education is ideal for students with autism and can lead to professions in which to excel.

 Systems Administrators, enthusiastic with order, the autistic people think in pictures and have difficulty understanding the language code. A photographer can easily imagine a two-dimensional object as a three-dimensional, and with proper training they learn to handle image processing software and design.

Strict structure, predictability and strict obedience to the rules are key elements that lead to professional recognition and characteristics necessary in many professions. At the same time, concern for animals, not for humans, can lead to careers in zoos, circus, and hippodrome. The religious environment and the calm serenity please them, so they can become ideal curators in churches, manufacturers of candles and other ritual objects.

People with autism and Asperger syndrome are divided into two categories: those with high and low level functionality. In both cases, however, the short-term memory is poorly functioned, while the long is more effective than this of "normal humans." As a result autistic employees cannot handle complex tasks. Examples of unsuitable occupations that require short-term memory load is: cashiers, waiters, telephone operators, clerks in hotels, conductors etc.

A further distinction concerns the way of thinking: there are autistic people who think mainly virtual and cannot handle words, numbers and abstract concepts and those which can easily edit digits, tones and numbers. Suitable professions for the first category (virtual memory) is: computer programmers, photographers, designers instruments and tools, computer engineers, web designers, developers of videogames, shoe repairers and clothes, lab technicians, ceramists, auto mechanics, etc.

Suitable occupations for the second category (treatment places) are: accountants, librarians, cashiers secretaries, statisticians, etc. Autistic people who have not developed language skills most relevant jobs are: production line factories, librarians, cleaners, gardeners, cooks, material recyclers etc.

In all occupations autistic individuals can distinguish: many cameramen and editors suffering from autism, and there are autistic taxi drivers who know every street. As accountants can be very accurate and detailed, while as secretaries know exactly where is ranked a file or an object. In libraries and museums can memorize the entire archive system, while new technologies offer a competitive advantage over them, because they provide opportunities for undisturbed work and concentration.

In conclusion, the job, which will occupy individuals with autism or Asperger syndrome should have perfectly specific objectives and procedures, emphasizing the production results and not on the personality of the worker, nor the need of social skills. Analogously academic fields such as Computer Science, Accounting, Library Science, Musicology, Art and technical training is tailored to the skills and needs of autistic people, while the theoretical and political science, Business Administration, Marketing and sales are not consistent with the characteristics and limitations of autism.

Key to business success is the awareness of the skills and needs of the autistic person.  A consultant with imagination and patience will gradually discover their specific slopes and surprised to see that every autistic person is made for a particular profession. The intervention and counseling process should start from childhood. The objectives should be realistic, but high. The autistic child may not be an astronaut, but may well be filling out at the airport. The ability of organizing and the obsession with certain occupations will be leading to the understanding of his merits. The consultant will lead the autistic student in workplaces and try to understand which of them he likes, what excites his interest, what sooths him. Complex stimuli and noisy environments are unsuitable.

Then the autistic child will be taught the job involves much more than carry out certain tasks: it is also about maintenance schedules, executing instructions, knowledge of safety rules and behavior, relationships with colleagues.

The purpose of vocational counseling for autistic people is to create a customized strategic plan for jobs and gaining experience through internships, along with formal education. At the same time, emphasis is given to awaken the community to inform employers, who usually either  ignore the concept of autism  or at best,  confuse it  to some form of severe and incurable mental retardation.

The most inhibiting factor for pupils with autistic syndrome is the fears and despondency of their parents. The consultant shall include in his tuition all the family, when trying to transmute the most effective support framework.

Services in Hellas for supporting individuals with ASD

Only about 151 children, teens or adults attend some form of morning program for autistic people and only 17 are in boarder schools, in Hellas. These very small and limited programs are offered from a few different groups: From the Mental Health Center of Athens (one day program that serves 13 children from 4 to 15 years) from the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica (one day program that serves 10 children from 4 to 8 years old). From the day center David’s shield in Athens, Volos, Chalkis and Chania,  from the Association of Parents and Friends of Autistic People in Attica called S.O.S. (One day program that serves 14 adult individuals with autism and one internship program that accommodates 6 people) from a Parents and Friends Association in Thessaloniki called "Hope" (a daily program that serves 32 autistic individuals 5-25 years old and 10 mentally retarded) and from another Association of Parents and Friends of Autistic Northern Hellas in Thessaloniki, (an evening lounge for 5 persons 9-18 years old).

A limited number of autistic children can be found in public schools for children with mental retardation or in private schools, which, however, there are no specific training programs for autistic children, or specially trained teachers. Another, also limited number of children, adolescents and adults are with people of various mental disabilities in different public or private asylums, where are not provided adequate services for autistic people.

These are the existing services for autistic people in Hellas once written this report. With the exception of an allowance of 650, 00 Eur per month that provides the Department of Health and Welfare for diagnosed autistic people, no other public or social support for individuals with autism or their families exist. The only reliable and effective support for the children in need comes from private sector institutions.  

Without the proper education and treatment, difficult autistic behaviors become worse. The lack of public services leads most autistic people to live as intolerable burdens on families and then as outcasts of modern Hellenic society. We have many examples on autistic individuals “buried” in their own homes.  They are deprived by the society, the dignity of human life, and the opportunity to prove their true abilities.

 What services are needed in Hellas for children and adults with autism?

Correct diagnostic assessments for proper identification of autism

Proper medical care

Proper schools and classrooms that provide special education

Well rehabilitation programs.

Proper training for adolescents and adults

Sheltered employment workshops and job opportunities

Special day programs for adults who are unable to work and need to develop more skills for their daily lives.

Residency programs, such as "hostels" for adults with autism

Specialized training in autism for doctors, nurses, teachers and staff of the hostels

Training and support for parents of autistic children

 More information about Autism in Hellas

There is the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Autistic People, a nationwide charity organization, which involves parents and friends of autistic people, and scientists interested in autism, from all regions of Hellas. As stated in the statute, the purpose of the Society is to work for the rights of autistic people in life, for people with ASD and (or) other related conditions, in which autistic elements prevail and determine the needs of everyday life, education, treatment and lifelong protection. Specifically, the purpose of the Society is to work towards:

1. The existence of qualitatively and quantitatively adequate diagnostic facilities for early diagnosis and accurate assessment of children with symptoms of autism in order to prepare and implement an appropriate program of treatment, education and rehabilitation.
2.  To ensure adequate education for autistic children: I. into mainstream education, specially equipped and staffed, where it is possible, II. Special schools, designed, equipped and staffed for autistic children who cannot be included in mainstream schools, III. In-school training centers and sheltered employment for autistic people that have this ability.
3.  To provide the means for a protected, humane and dignified life in autistic individuals when their families will not exist anymore, or cannot be in secure, protected homes (for those who can live with some degree of independence) or properly organized communities (for people who need complete protection).
4.  To provide every kind of assistance needed, to families with members with autism.
5.  The Society’s  objective is also to facilitate scientific research on autism and the problems of diagnosis, education, health care, family separation, social and sheltered living, a) encouraging parents of autistic individuals (and the same autistic people, when they can) to  participate in research and b) as much as possible, looking for resources to support such an investigation.