A long-promised special school for autistic students in Athens has yet to materialize, leaving families facing long commutes and overcrowded classrooms

The shortage of specialized institutions, trained teachers, and support staff means many parents are literally turned away at the school gates.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that manifests in varying degrees of difficulty across different individuals.

“Every parent of an autistic child fears the same thing: ‘What will happen after I’m gone?’ There is nothing reliable or well-organized provided by the state.”

Greek media reports that a 4-year-old autistic boy is a victim of alleged bullying by two 5-year-old boys at his school, which resulted in a fractured jaw and broken teeth. On the day of the incident, the school claimed the boy fell and has remained tight-lipped since.

The journey into the world of autism often begins with a single sentence, a diagnosis delivered by a pediatrician which starts a family on an odyssey they never anticipated: “Giannis is hyperactive, and his lack of eye contact is a concern… I’m referring you to a good neurologist who specializes in ASD.” And just like […]