Talking to Children About Autism

“Why doesn’t Athina talk?”

“Why does Giorgos keep moving his fingers like that?”

“Why does Vaios prefer walking in circles around the schoolyard?”

These questions are just a sample of what children 7-8 years ask in the classroom on a day to day basis. And there are not difficult questions.

They are natural questions that arise when children get curious about their peers at school, and why they are different. And when children ask, it is the professionals' responsibility to answer.

That is how Mrs. Maria Vrana, collaborating certified and independent occupational therapist at Nissimou since June 2025, decided to work on a very unique initiative to raise awareness about autism and neurodiversity, within the 2x first year classes of the local primary school on the island of Spetses.

Visiting Spetses Primary School

On the morning of January 16th, 2026, Mrs. Maria Vrana, in collaboration with Mrs. Marianna Thymaras and Mrs. Venia, teacher of the first grade class of the primary school, organised, for the two first-grade classes of Spetses Primary School, a presentation and small workshop talk about neurodiversity.

Through play, discussion, storytelling, and experiential activities, some of the topics explored included:

• How the brain works

• Different ways people communicate

• Why some children use repetitive movements to feel calm

• How each person may experience the same sound, light, or touch differently

The 30+ children that participated in this unique initiative were very positive about it. They were curious, thoughtful, and wonderfully engaged.

They participated actively, asked meaningful questions, and most importantly — they learned through play.

Understanding Is the First Step Toward Acceptance

"The first step toward acceptance is understanding uniqueness.When children are informed, they are better able to connect, share, include, and accept. At Nissimou, we work every day to gently remove the visible and invisible barriers that separate people. Open conversations reduce distance. Knowledge dismantles stigma. Dialogue builds inclusion.”

Maria Vrana

“Just a Brain with Different Wires”

"At the end of the session, children were asked : “What is autism?” And one of the child directly answered in a simple and powerful way: “Just a brain with different wires.” 

Children have a way of seeing things clearly. Without fear. Without prejudice. Without unnecessary complexity. Perhaps we, as adults, have something to learn from that perspective.”

Maria Vrana

Our Impact

• 30+ children participated to the presentation

• the first initiative to create a productive and efficient collaboration between therapists and the educational staff of the local public primary school 

• 100% of the children informed shared positive feedback and comments

• first awareness initiative organised in collaboration with an independent certified occupational therapist on the island

Moving Toward a More Inclusive Future

"We remain committed to creating spaces where every child feels free, safe, and accepted. Inclusion is not a concept; it is a daily practice. Because the future belongs to children, all children.”

Maria Vrana

Interested in Raising Awareness?

If you would like to support our efforts to raise awareness about Neurodiversity and wish to organise an awareness session about autism and inclusion in your school or organisation, we would be happy to connect.

📩 Contact us at: info.nissimou@gmail.com

If you would like to help us continue offering a welcoming environment for children and families on Spetses, you can support Nissimou’s safe space here.