(Greece) SPED demand "soars"; worldwide rise in autism, ADHD diagnoses

June 25, 2026,  Special education demand soars | eKathimerini.com

The number of approvals for one-on-one classroom support teachers for students with special educational needs in Greece has surged nearly sixfold over the past decade, prompting education officials to reconsider how the system operates.

According to Education Ministry data, approvals for parallel support teachers rose from 5,579 in the 2016-17 school year to 31,667 in 2025-26. The ministry expects approvals to approach 33,000 next year.

The program, established in 2000, places a specialized teacher alongside a student with special educational needs or learning difficulties in mainstream classrooms. It serves children with conditions including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and physical disabilities. . . .

The growth reflects multiple factors, officials and advocates say. Bousdounis cited a worldwide rise in autism and ADHD diagnoses, while disability advocates pointed to greater public awareness and recognition of students’ diverse educational needs.

The National Confederation of Disabled People estimated that 144,861 students with disabilities or special educational needs attended primary and secondary schools in 2024-25, representing about 10% of Greece’s student population.

The increase has strained assessment services, particularly in the Athens region, where delays remain because of high demand. In response, the ministry has expanded special education staffing and services, creating thousands of new inclusion classrooms, hiring additional teachers and specialists, and establishing new support networks in schools.

At the same time, the Institute of Educational Policy is preparing reforms to KEDASY operations, school-based multidisciplinary teams and the responsibilities of support teachers, as demand for services continues to grow.