Innovative Art & Movement-Based Workshops for Children with ASD Begin Under TÜBİTAK 4008 Science and Society Program

Implemented in collaboration with the Esenyurt District Directorate of National Education and coordinated by Psychologist Başak Tohumcu, a new TÜBİTAK 4008 project is launching to support children aged 8–13 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through interactive scientific learning and holistic development activities.

The project’s expert training team includes Dr. Beyza Aslı Bilsel – Assistant Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Istanbul Gelisim University, and Research Assistant – Specialist Physiotherapist Ebru Durusoy. The educators will conduct workshops that incorporate art, music, painting, physical activity, creative drama, and movement-based activities, aiming to foster multidimensional developmental gains in participating children.

Project Objectives

Through these structured workshops, the project aims to:

• Enable children with ASD to discover scientific phenomena through experiential learning, igniting curiosity, research skills, and motivation to learn.

• Support cognitive, social, emotional, visual, gross motor, and communication skills through art- and movement-based approaches.

• Strengthen social participation, collaborative interaction, and adaptation to group environments through structured group-based activities.

• Contribute to the field of ASD education by providing scientifically supported good practice examples, adapting art and body-based approaches into educational contexts.

• Encourage the development of independent and active life skills by supporting participation in diverse physical and social environments.

• Involve families in the process to ensure workshop gains are generalized to daily life, while also increasing family awareness of developmental progress.

Peer-Supported Learning & Dissemination

The project also integrates joint activities with typically developing peers, allowing children with ASD to experience peer-assisted learning, enhance social interaction, and strengthen group cohesion.

Outcomes of the project will be disseminated to special education teachers and professionals, contributing to increased awareness of the effectiveness of art- and movement-based interventions in ASD education and encouraging widespread adoption of such approaches.