Autism Resources and Useful Information

• The National Autistic Society (NAS) - autism.org.uk

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK's largest charity supporting autistic people and their families. It provides extensive information, training, diagnostic services, and campaigns to raise awareness and promote inclusion. The website also offers an accessibility tool with support for multiple languages, including Greek.

• Autism Speaks - autismspeaks.org

Autism Speaks is one of the world's largest autism organisations, providing comprehensive information on autism diagnosis, interventions, and family support. The website also features practical resources, including the Parent's Guide to Autism, designed to support families following a child's autism diagnosis.

• Raising Children Network - raisingchildren.net.au

The Raising Children Network is an Australian parenting website that provides reliable, evidence-based information about autism. It covers topics such as behaviour, communication, relationships, education, development, and health, while also offering practical guides to therapies and support services to help families make informed decisions and better support their autistic children.

• Carol Gray Social Stories - carolgraysocialstories.com

Social Stories™ are an evidence-informed approach developed by Carol Gray to help autistic people better understand social situations, expectations, and everyday experiences. The website provides examples, guidance, and educational resources for parents, educators, and professionals supporting autistic children and adults.

• Hellenic Association for the Protection of Autistic Individuals (E.E.P.A.A.) - autismgreece.gr

The Hellenic Association for the Protection of Autistic Individuals (E.E.P.A.A.) is a non-profit organisation that provides information, support, and services for autistic people and their families, while promoting awareness of autism and the rights of autistic individuals. It also operates day centres and supported living facilities for autistic adults in several regions of Greece.

• Hellenic Association for the Protection of Autistic Individuals – Thessaloniki Branch - thess-autismgreece.gr

The Thessaloniki Branch of E.E.P.A.A. supports autistic people and their families by providing information, parent support groups, and creative activity programmes. It also organises educational events and seminars to raise public awareness and promote a better understanding of autism.

• AutismMap.gr - autismap.gr

Developed by the Centre for Child and Adolescent, AutismMap.gr is an up-to-date directory of autism-related services, organisations, and professionals across Greece. It is a valuable resource for families seeking information, guidance, and support.

• Practical Guide to Autism
  

Developed as part of the grow4autism project by the Centre for Child and Adolescent in collaboration with the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Autistic People, this practical handbook provides reliable information for autistic people and their families.

It covers topics including therapeutic interventions, special education services, reimbursement through the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY), education, family support, independent living, social benefits, legal rights, disability certification procedures, and opportunities for community participation and meaningful activities.

🔗 View the full guide here.

• PASS4Autism: Artificial Intelligence for Social Skills Development
  

• Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)
  

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is an internationally recognised, evidence-based parenting programme designed to strengthen parenting skills and promote children's positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing, and healthy development.

Based on principles of cognitive behavioural theory, Triple P is delivered across different levels of support, ranging from general parenting advice to intensive, individualised interventions, depending on each family's needs. The programme has been widely implemented internationally and includes adaptations for families of children with developmental differences, including autism.

📍 Availability in Greece:

Triple P is now available in Greece through certified practitioners and organisations, providing families with access to evidence-based positive parenting strategies.

🔗 More information:

Child & Family Health Promotion Programme – National Initiative for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Official Triple P website

• Amazing Things Happen - Link

This animated short film by Alex Amelines provides a simple, engaging, and child-friendly introduction to autism. Available with Greek dubbing, it is an excellent resource for helping children understand autism in an accessible and positive way.

• Louis' Shoes - Link

This award-winning animated short film tells the story of Louis, an autistic boy, and explores the way he experiences the world around him. It offers a moving and insightful perspective on autism, highlighting both the challenges and the unique strengths of autistic people. The film is available in French with English subtitles.

• Young People Explain Autism - Link

Produced by Ambitious About Autism, this video features autistic young people sharing their own experiences and perspectives on what it means to be autistic. It provides an authentic and insightful account of autism from the voices of those with lived experience. The video is available in English.

1. The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism – Naoki Higashida

Written by a 13-year-old autistic boy, this remarkable book offers a unique insight into the inner world of autism. Through a series of questions and answers, Naoki Higashida shares his thoughts, emotions, and experiences, helping readers better understand autism from a first-person perspective. It is a moving and thought-provoking read for parents, professionals, and anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of autistic people.

2. Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism – Dr Barry Prizant

An award-winning book that challenges traditional views of autism by focusing on understanding the reasons behind behaviour rather than attempting to change it. It presents a compassionate, strengths-based approach to supporting autistic people and has become a highly regarded resource for families and professionals.

3. Autism… What Does It Mean to Me? – Catherine Faherty

A practical workbook designed to promote self-awareness and self-advocacy in autistic children, adolescents, and adults. Through structured activities and guided discussions, it helps autistic individuals better understand themselves while offering valuable guidance for parents, educators, and professionals.

4. Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism – Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin shares her personal experiences of autism and explains how she understands and processes the world through visual thinking. The book provides valuable insights into sensory experiences, communication, and autistic cognition, making it an essential read for families, educators, and professionals.

5. The Autists: Women on the Spectrum – Clara Törnvall

This insightful book explores the experiences of autistic women through history, culture, and personal narratives. It examines why autism in women has often been overlooked and offers a thoughtful perspective on female autism, making it a valuable resource for parents, educators, and professionals alike.

6. M in the Middle – Vicky Martin and the students of Limpsfield Grange School

This novel follows the story of M, a 13-year-old autistic girl navigating friendships, anxiety, identity, and first love. Inspired by the real-life experiences of autistic students at Limpsfield Grange School, it offers an authentic and relatable portrayal of autism in girls.

7. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Mark Haddon

Although a work of fiction, this award-winning novel offers a compelling story told through the perspective of an autistic teenager. It explores themes such as communication, social relationships, problem-solving, and everyday life, providing readers with an engaging insight into a different way of experiencing the world.

8. All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum – Kathy Hoopmann

A beautifully illustrated book that uses the behaviour of cats to explain autism in a simple, engaging, and accessible way. It is particularly suitable for introducing autism to children and encouraging understanding and acceptance.

9. Inside Asperger's Looking Out – Kathy Hoopmann

Using vivid illustrations and accessible language, this book explores the experiences of people with Asperger syndrome, helping readers understand their perspectives, strengths, and everyday challenges. Although the diagnostic terminology has evolved, many readers continue to find the book helpful in understanding autistic experiences.