The Association for the Protection of Persons with Autism - P.D.D. of the Prefecture of Kastoria is a non-profit association founded in 2006 with the purpose of providing support to people with autism and their families, in order to ensure their normal daily life and social integration. Since 2012, a Daycare Centre for children, adolescents and young adults with disorders in the autism spectrum, and their families, has been operating in Kastoria, providing therapeutic and educational services along with ergotherapy, logotherapy, adapted physical education, social skills and psychotherapy programmes.

With a view to broadening its therapeutic and educational programmes, the Association for the Protection of Persons with Autism - P.D.D. of the Prefecture of Kastoria expanded its Daycare Centre, launching the Daycare Centre for Adults with Autism, targeted at individuals over 25 years old. The new Daycare Centre operates in a new building; its operation is aimed at the special psychosocial difficulties of the beneficiaries, their vocational training and professional rehabilitation, the development of skills ensuring a semi-autonomous life, and the creative use of their free time through experiential activities.

In 2020 the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation supported the initiative of the Association for the Protection of Persons with Autism - P.D.D. of the Prefecture of Kastoria, covering the cost for procurement of the equipment needed to ensure smooth operation of the Daycare Centre for Adults with Autism and the adequate quality of the services provided. The equipment was used to cover basic operational needs of the Daycare Centre, the creation of a Sensory Integration area for the implementation of therapeutic programmes, the setup of a kitchen area for the practice of skills related to the independence and autonomy of the beneficiaries, etc.

• The 2 Daycare Centres support 26 beneficiaries and their families.

“All those among us who have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of persons with autism have learned to dream big. We dream of our children being fully integrated into society, appreciating the joys of life as they perceive and feel them. To make our dreams come true, we have learned to turn to friends asking for help. The Latsis Public Benefit Foundation responded immediately to our call for help to make the Daycare Centre for Adults with Autism a beautiful, functional and well-equipped space. And so, simply and neatly, we now have our new furniture, a candle-making workshop, a computer workshop, a fully equipped kitchen, a relaxation area, etc. But most importantly, we now have new real supporters of our work. And that gives us strength for our next, bigger plans.”

George Panos

Chair of the Board of Directors, Association for the Protection of Persons with Autism - P.D.D. of the Prefecture of Kastoria