Rotterdam Autism Academy, established to provide comprehensive services such as education, consultancy, rehabilitation, and therapy for various disability groups, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder, has officially opened with broad participation.
The opening ceremony of the Rotterdam Autism Academy, located on the second floor of the HDV Rotterdam Kocatepe Mosque Cultural Center, was attended by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ambassador to The Hague Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Türkiye’s Consul General in Rotterdam Sevgi Kısacık, Ordu Governor Muammer Erol, Prof. Dr. Marie Jose Enders, NGO representatives, businesspeople, families, and citizens.
The program began with a recitation from the Quran, followed by a speech from Yavuz Kütük, the Founder of the Rotterdam Autism Academy.
Yavuz Kütük stated:
“Our institution carries out multifaceted activities in areas such as education, consultancy, rehabilitation, and therapy for various disability groups, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to these services, we provide in-service training and consultancy for educators, families, rehabilitation centers, and non-governmental organizations. We also organize various seminars, symposiums, and workshops on disadvantaged groups. Adopting social sensitivity as a mission, our institution supports social responsibility projects aimed at raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and conducts independent and/or collaborative work. As Rotterdam Autisme Academie B.V., we aim to shape your child’s future together and bring hope to tomorrow.”
EL SUPPORT – E-Learning Support for Students with Disabilities
“The main purpose of this project is to facilitate the inclusion of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in education and contribute to the development of their quality of life, independent living skills, and social communication abilities. As Rotterdam Autisme Academie B.V. (RAA), we will now be able to provide various support programs such as special education, speech therapy (logopedie), and sports for our special children at our location in Rotterdam. We currently have five branches: Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Zaandam, Zaltbommel, and Rotterdam. We aim to increase this number to 15 across the Netherlands by the end of 2026. Established in 2017, our institution has been carrying out activities for various disability groups, especially autism spectrum disorder.”
Ordu Governor Muammer Erol said in his speech:
“During my term as the Governor of Konya, there was a wonderful facility in the Selçuklu district for children with autism. Seeing that expert staff could be trained there and that progress could be made, we decided that such a project could only be achieved through collaboration with the university. In 2016, the Selçuklu Foundation for the Education of Individuals with Autism (SOBE) was established. The aim of SOBE is to provide the qualified education needed by individuals with autism, increase their participation in social life, and bring out their full potential. We follow with great satisfaction the work of Holding Amsterdam Autisme Academie B.V. in the Netherlands. I came here upon Mr. Yavuz’s invitation to attend the opening of the Rotterdam Autism Academy. May this academy be beneficial.”
Ambassador Fatma Ceren Yazgan stated:
“I sincerely thank the Rotterdam Kocatepe Mosque congregation, administration, and women’s branch for hosting such an institution. Our children are our children. Autistic children are a group within mentally disabled children. Here, the efforts of families coming together and establishing foundations beyond what the state can provide are extremely important. We wish for not five, but a hundred such organizations, as long as the resources are used wisely. Cooperation with the Dutch government is crucial to meet the special needs of the Turkish community in the Netherlands. It is very difficult for solutions produced solely by the community to remain sustainable. Government support—meaning the involvement of the relevant ministries of both countries—is essential.
Cultural differences and language are not the issue—children and their families speak Dutch. The issue is the lack of resources! We must involve civil society in every case, but we must also convince families that this is ‘a way of life’ for parents of autistic children. This is not a topic we can ignore just because it does not affect us personally; it is a social matter. As the Embassy and Consulates, we view this issue from this perspective. One of the most important questions we need to answer is: ‘What will happen to these children?’ These children are entrusted to us; if they have no one left, they are entrusted to the state, and it is our responsibility. I greatly appreciate the efforts of those who contributed to bringing this academy to our community. Yes, funding is necessary, but even more important is sincerity and sustainability. May this center be beneficial to our community.”
Following the speeches, the ribbon of the Rotterdam Autism Academy was cut by Ambassador Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Consul General Sevgi Kısacık, Ordu Governor Muammer Erol, and the Academy’s Founder Yavuz Kütük.
