The Special Committee on Autism is now a fact for our country, the Minister of State says in his post, Akis Schertsos.

“When dialogue changes lives. A few months ago, parents of children on the autism spectrum and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis together with the Minister in charge at the time, Stavros Papastavrou, met at a table. They didn’t just exchange words; they shared anxieties, experiencesbut also her hope that something better can be done.

Today, within the framework of the mechanism operating in the Presidency of the Government for the national strategy for Persons with Disabilities, this hope is taking shape with the establishment of the Special Committee on Autism. A committee that brings together scientists, parents and professionals to design solutions based on science and life”the Minister of State points out.

As added by Mr. Schertz:

“The establishment of a Special Committee on Autism is not “another committee” and it is not just an institutional initiative. It is the start of a new course where the needs and rights of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families are put at the center so that it ceases to be another “invisible” disability.

From education to everyday life, the committee’s mission is to support and guide the government and the relevant Ministries with scientifically based and at the same time practical recommendations to create a world that understands and supports those living with autism.

Because every important change begins with a dialogue, which becomes a commitment and ends in action for a society and a state that cares and leaves no one behind.

For a Greece with everyone, for everyone”.

It is noted that, according to information, the prime minister will “attend” the first session of the one in question Commission.

In closing, Mr. Schertsos warmly thanks the members of the Committee, who are:

  • Georgios Karantanos, child psychiatrist-psychiatrist, as president.
  • Aikaterini Papanikolaou, professor of Child Psychiatry School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, director of the University Child Psychiatry Clinic and founder of the Special Clinic for Autism Spectrum Disorders of the “Agia Sophia” General Children’s Hospital.
  • Emmanuel Tsalamanios, director of the National Health System at the Child-Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic of the General Hospital “Asklipieio Voulas”.
  • Ioannis Vogindroukas, speech pathologist, scientific advisor of the Speech Therapy Research and Training Institute and supervisor of Clinical Practice of the Panhellenic Association of Speech Pathologists.
  • Nektaria Sifaki, occupational therapist, head of Vocational Training at the “Theotokos” Foundation.
  • Ekaterini Katsouda, president of the Hellenic Society of Supported Employment.
  • Eleni Padiatelli, psychologist-psychotherapist and director of the Center for Special Education of Children and Adults with Disabilities “Horizontes”.
  • Antigoni Mertika, psychologist at the Special Therapeutic Unit for Autism at the “Aglaia Kyriakou” Hospital.
  • Catherine Hadjipateras Giannouli, clinical psychologist, member of the Scientific Committee of the Hellenic Association for Asperger’s Syndrome.
  • Marina Moschovou, parent of a child with a disorder on the autism spectrum, member of the Association “We live together”.
  • Alexis-Ilias Skotiniotis, gastroenterologist, parent of a child with a disorder on the autism spectrum, member of the “Avali” Association.