Two-day events for autism were organized in Ayia Napa on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February at the Municipal Museum "Thalassa" and in a hotel in the area, the Famagusta Autism Support Association.
A written announcement from the Municipality of Ayia Napa states that the events included a lecture on "Sensory symptoms that appear or worsen during adolescence in children with autism spectrum disorders affecting their quality of life and their family", which was addressed mainly to parents.
There was also a workshop for teachers entitled "Autism, the effect of Sensory Symptoms on the process of Learning and daily functioning - Ideas for management and organization strategies in the classroom", which was co-organized by the Famagusta Autism Support Association with the WTO.
The speaker of the lecture and the conference was the Occupational Therapist Annie Sampsonidou, a graduate of New York University, with a master's degree in occupational therapy, with a major in pediatrics, including neonatal intervention.
Specifically, Ms. Sampsonidou "analyzed the processes of sensory processing at the level of the body and how they contribute to the smooth development of the individual. He also explained the management and organization strategies in order to promote the participation of people with autism spectrum disorders, in productive and quality compromises in their daily environment and in the quality of life of the family ".
He added that "the presence of sensory symptoms in people with autism spectrum disorders is now widespread based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. He also referred to the nature of these symptoms and how they affect the daily lives of people with autism spectrum disorders, their school attendance and their families.
According to the announcement, “more than 130 people, mainly teachers, participated in the meeting. The President of the Famagusta POED, Loukas Tsoukkas, addressed a greeting, expressing satisfaction for the fact that the Organization supports the specific day and the Famagusta Autism Support Association ".
Mr. Tsoukkas said that "it is the obligation of all to contribute to the smoothest possible integration of children with autism in school and in general to improve their quality of life."
At the same time, he expressed "thanks to the President and the members of the Famagusta Autism Association for the good cooperation and expressed the certainty that the co-organization of similar actions will continue over time".