HDP asks why the National Action Plan for People with Autism is not implemented

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Züleyha Gülüm has submitted a Parliamentary question regarding the problems faced by children with autism in education. Gülüm has addressed his questions to Turkey's new Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer.

The MP has noted that while the treatment of autism is possible with early diagnosis and constant education, the children with autism as well as their families and relatives cannot reach adequate opportunities and facilities in that regard. She has also raised concerns about the discrimination suffered by children with autism in both education and social sphere.

Referring to inclusive education, HDP's Züeyhan Gülüm has recalled that "laws and regulations on inclusion have been introduced in Turkey based on the idea that children's personal differences and needs do not prevent them from getting education together with their peers."

She has added, "However, in practice, especially when the new school year begins, the major problems in the education of children with autism become more visible. Education is the right of every child and this right is guaranteed by the Constitution and international conventions."

Further in her Parliamentary question, Gülüm has briefly said: "However, no egalitarian approach is maintained in treating children with autism; they and their relatives face several problems and violations of inclusion during their enrollment to schools and kindergartens.

"The education offered to children with disabilities at rehabilitation centers is highly insufficient in terms of hours of education; the teachers who were given condensed, brief training, rather than the ones taught in special education, are appointed to teach the classes.

"In addition, the materials of special education are extremely insufficient in terms of both quality and quantity; there are also several problems with the school busses enabling the transportation of children. Counseling and Research Centers cannot develop solutions for these problems."

Questions to the Education Minister

Against this backdrop, HDP İstanbul MP Züleyha Gülüm has asked Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer the following questions:

"How many people with autism are there in Turkey? What is their distribution by age?

"Considering the importance of early diagnosis, are you thinking of introducing a regulation that will stipulate autism scanning and monitoring for the children aged between 0 and 3 in Turkey?

"As of 2021, how many children with autism are at school age? How many of them can continue formal education? Do you have any work on the children who are excluded from formal education?

"Are there efforts of prevention and inspection in education institutions regarding the violations of inclusion that are faced by children with autism and their family members?

"Are there any concrete measures that have been taken against such issues as the discrimination or peer bullying faced by children with autism who are included in the inclusive programs?

"Will you take any action to increase the hours of education of children with autism to international standards, considering that the Ombudsman Institution has concluded and recommended that an 8-hour education is not sufficient for a child with autism?

"Will you work on the adequacy of the education personnel and materials in the field of special education?

"What is the reason behind the failure to effectively implement the 'National Action Plan for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder', which entered into force by being published in the Official Gazette in 2016?" (AÖ/SD)