The TUA (The Unexpected Artrepreneur) project continues to make strides towards empowering young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS) through art and entrepreneurship education. The 2nd Transnational Partners’ Meeting (TPM), held in Nicosia, Cyprus on February 1st, 2024, marked an important moment in our journey as we advanced the project’s objectives and discussed key progress points. Although mental health initiatives are increasingly common across the European Union, young people with ASD/DS often struggle to fully participate in society after leaving school.
This is often due to challenges in communication and social interaction. For those with Down Syndrome (DS), difficulties may include challenges with understanding speech, staying focused in learning activities, or processing information at the same pace as their peers. For those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), common challenges include maintaining eye contact, carrying on a conversation, or interpreting social cues, which can sometimes be perceived as disinterest. These difficulties can make it hard for young people with ASD/DS to express themselves, engage socially, and take part in broader societal activities. TUA is working to address these issues head-on by creating a specialized curriculum that supports youth with ASD/DS and helps teachers, caregivers, youth workers, and other professionals develop the skills they need to work effectively with these groups.
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