Opening of a Café in Tehran with Employees Having Autism and Down Syndrome

Media reports indicate the opening of a café in northern Tehran where the employees have Down syndrome or autism. The café, named "Dantism," is the first of its kind in the country, established with the support of Iran's Welfare Organization. Mohammad Reza Asadi, Deputy for Rehabilitation Affairs at the Welfare Organization, stated during the opening ceremony on May 1 that 10 individuals with Down syndrome or autism who have reached working age volunteered to work at the café. According to him, after training from an instructor, they manage the café "autonomously" and are creating "a culture." The website Asr Iran reported that the café's operators, who have undergone six months of "speech therapy" and "rehabilitation counseling," play the piano, cook food, and serve customers coffee. One customer mentioned that the establishment of this café with employees having autism or Down syndrome signifies that "everyone can." He noted the happiness of customers with young children who have autism and Down syndrome in visiting this café. Another customer stated that society needs to see that individuals like the café's employees can perform if given the opportunity to work. The Deputy for Rehabilitation Affairs emphasized that in Iran, only the "problems" of these individuals are seen, adding that the café's employees have "overcome all problems" and are showcasing their "capabilities." Asadi referred to the "share" of society in this matter, suggesting that our contribution might simply be drinking a coffee served by them. Asr Iran noted that despite the filtering of Telegram in Iran, the café's opening has been well-received by the public. The opening of the "Dantism" café in Iran is one of the most unprecedented news stories regarding job creation for individuals with autism or Down syndrome in the country, establishing direct and unmediated contact with society. Autism arises from differences in the nervous system that affect how individuals communicate with others, leading to a different perception of the surrounding world. Some individuals have a highly visual mind and create mental images of what they see. The limitations caused by autism are not fixed and can be changed with extensive and intensive work over several years, as evidenced by the experiences of families with autistic individuals. The number of individuals with autism worldwide is increasing, partly due to greater awareness of autism. Other unproven hypotheses also exist. The latest statistics released in the United States indicate that one in every 59 children has autism.