Short-Term Stay

The Program

At the Protected Apartment “HERACLES,” services of accommodation, care, and training are provided to individuals diagnosed on the autism spectrum, with the primary goal of relieving their families. Beneficiaries are trained in acquiring daily living skills, achieving the highest possible level of autonomy, and strengthening their socialization, with the ultimate aim of their transition to a Supported Living Residence after completing the program. In emergency situations (parent illness, prolonged absence, crisis in the supportive environment), the Protected Apartment may offer emergency and short-term accommodation for the organization’s service recipients, with full respect for their existing therapeutic relationship. The duration of short-term accommodation is determined by the scheduling and frequency of the corresponding educational programs.

Protected Apartment “HERACLES”

The Program

The Protected Apartment “HERACLES” operates under the supervision of the Directorate of Mental Health of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, and it is housed in ALMA’s privately owned facility on 16 Ivis Athanasiadou Street, in Palaio Faliro.

The program is addressed to children and young people aged 12 to 30, diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) – autism, mild or moderate Intellectual Disability and/or Behavioral and Emotional Disorders.

The structure provides group programs with an individualized educational approach, aiming to develop daily living skills in individuals with autism, foster their autonomy, and enhance their participation in daily community activities. At the same time, the program aims to relieve and support the family of the individual with autism.

The ultimate purpose of the Protected Apartment “HERACLES” is the equal social inclusion of its residents.

The program runs throughout the year, on weekdays and weekends. Participation may take place at regular intervals or exceptionally in case of need, following a request from the parents – short-term accommodation for individuals with autism is available. The program is supported by specialized staff.

Individuals who cannot participate in the program:

→ Those with motor disabilities

→ Those with severe intellectual disability and severe autistic symptomatology (self-injurious or uncontrolled aggressive behavior), for whom intervention requires a specialized program in specialized settings

→ Those with psychiatric symptomatology (e.g., acute crisis episodes), whose therapeutic needs require inpatient hospitalization

→ Those with serious medical conditions (unregulated epilepsy, uncontrolled diabetes, hemorrhagic colitis, psychogenic anorexia with significant weight loss, etc.)

The admission process for the programs of the Protected Apartment is as follows:

1 Information meeting with the social worker and/or the program coordinator regarding the structure, its operation, and the goals of the Protected Apartment

2Initial assessment of the candidate by the interdisciplinary team (psychologist, special educator, occupational therapist)

3Admission of the beneficiary to a group

4 Development of the educational program, where the short-term and long-term group and individual goals for each participant are set