ASP Chapter Leaders' Townhall: New Policies

Autism Society Philippines maintains its position at the forefront of autism advocacy, from our founding in 1989 to the COVID19 pandemic years. Our strength as a community has been to adapt to the needs of the community and to innovate based on what new social conditions require.

ASP Chapter Leader's Townhall

ASP hears the community's suggestions and we are working hard to address them and the challenges in the sustainability of the organization and our advocacy.

ASP wants to continue serving as many members as we can. We want to continue building and strengthening the chapters for an inclusive future. We want to project an image of innovation while honoring our traditions as a 30-year-old organization. These aspirations inspired the leadership to make bold changes in our policy changes.

The ASP National Board will hold a Leadership Town Hall on 20 August 2022 at 10 o'clock in the morning via zoom. We will unveil exciting new developments which chapter leaders would not want to miss:

(1) New ASP membership classifications

(2) New ASP chapter classifications

(3) New ASP branding

This session is open to all Chapter Leaders. In case of unavailability, designates will be allowed. Cluster Heads will ensure all chapters are represented. Registration will be until 19 August 2022 at 12nn. Please register using the form below.

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Posted in: chapters,leaders

ASP Lakbay Aral: BRP Melchora Aquino

Coast Guard Education Training And Doctrine Command (CGDETDC) is inviting the Autism Society Philippines to board and tour one of the PCG's vessels, Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Melchora Aquino MRRV-9702 on 11 August 2022. This is in line with the PCG commemoration of its 49th Foundation Day of the Coast Guard Education Training And Doctrine Command (CGDETDC). The tour for children and youth on the spectrum will be hosted by the Coast Guard Officers' Course (CGOC) Class 12-2011.

ASP Lakbay Aral to BRP

Who can join

• Interested members may sign up for this event (exclusive to active members) via the online form below. The submission deadline is August 9, at noon.
• One (1) child/youth on the spectrum and one companion per family.
• The ASP Secretariat will confirm the booking via text/call. As we only have 25x2 slots available, we would like to share the opportunity across as many chapters as possible.
• For cancellations, please communicate at least 24 hours ahead, as a courtesy.

What to prepare

• Wear an ASP Angels Walk Shirt or green shirt and a medical-grade face mask.
• Expect to be exposed to the sun and no air conditioning.
• Bring an extra shirt, face towel, cap, or umbrella.
• Optional, just incase shoes get wet, bring extra shoes and socks or slippers.
• Do not bring big bags to the venue -- leave them in the vehicle.

Health Protocols

• Bring your vaccination cards (No vax card, no entry into the ship).
• Do not come with fever, cough, cold, or diarrhea.
• Observe proper social distancing.

How to get there

• Participants must be responsible for their transportation.
• Participants are expected to be at the Coast Guard Education Training And Doctrine Command (CGDETDC) (Map) at 9:00 am.

What to expect

• When you get to the venue, look for the ASP banner or Cenin Faderogao, who is managing the event.
• Chapter leaders are expected to manage their group/members, especially during the waiting time.
• No assurance that latecomers can be accommodated.
• Expect 4-5 inches of water in the parking area -- high tide
• The tour will be done while the ship is docked; it will not be sailing out to sea. 
• There will be an opportunity to board a smaller vessel for a short ride for those who wish.

0900H Assembly and release of name tags (Map)

0930H PCG Ceremonies: Exchange of Tokens and Distribution of Snacks

1000H 10-min ride followed by Tour of BRP Melchora Aquino - Pier 15 (Map)

1130H Packed Lunch - Mess Hall or to-go

1230H End of Tour Event

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Posted in: 4pwas,members

ASP to launch Community Marketplace

The Autism Society Philippines is launching the ASP Community Marketplace on Facebook. This is a channel for economic empowerment to help small businesses run by and for persons on the autism spectrum.

ASP Community Marketplace poster

The ASP Marketplace was created in response to the needs of our ASP families to augment their income after our economy was adversely affected by the pandemic. This virtual marketplace can help entrepreneurs among the ASP chapters to keep on going, to keep on growing, and to reach more customers online. It connects sellers and buyers wherever they are. ASP members just need to have an active Facebook account in order to join. ASP chapter leaders can also endorse non-members who they know will be helping families with children on the autism spectrum.

Sellers can sell anything as long as products are not prohibited by law, scammed, or e-loaded. Products need not be made by those on the spectrum, nor be related to autism advocacy.

To join the marketplace, follow this link: https://bit.ly/aspcommunitymarketplace. Don’t forget to read the guidelines!

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Posted in: 4parents,4public,4pwas

A great experience we had during "Lightyear", a Sensory-Friendly Movie treat

Our moviegoers on the autism spectrum and their families had a wonderful time together at the showing of "Lightyear" at Cinema 1, The Block, SM City North EDSA. SM Cares, SM Cinema, and Disney PH hosted the "Lights Up, Sounds Down" for the ASP community last June 30, 2022. Sensory-friendly movie showing is a special opportunity for individuals on the autism spectrum and others to enjoy films in a safe and accepting environment.

Our happy moviegoers with their families

The Lagdameo family from ASP Mandaluyong shared that while they were prepared to see kids running all over the theater and hearing loud comments from them, it was their own Cairos who stood out as the kid who was running across, right in front of the movie screen during mid-screening: “We remain thankful everyone had been prepared for things like these.” As a bonus, Cairo’s 12th grader cousin, who is considering becoming a teacher in special education, got her exposure beyond Cairos during her cousin’s first cinema date.

Lagdameo Family

“Sa labas pa lang po makikita na ang excitement sa mata ni Ashley kasi first time n’ya na manuod sa movie theater after 2 yrs (one can see the excitement in Ashley’s eyes because it was her first time to watch movies again after 2 years).” Mommy Sheryl of ASP San Mateo was touched with the very accommodating staff of SM Cares and SM Cinema. Ashley enjoyed the big and soft SM Cinema chairs, while eating popcorn from SM Cares; laughing out loud from time to time.

Happy viewers of "Lightyear" movie

“Napakalaking tulong po nito para sa mga batang may kinakaharap na sensory issues tulad ng malalakas na tunog, madilim na lugar, hindi makatagal sa kanilang kinauupuan at iba pa (This is such a big help for children with sensory processing issues, like loud sounds and dark places, and who can’t still sit still for a long time,” shared by the Glori Family of ASP San Mateo. The family enjoyed the Disney PH’s “Lightyear. ” “Masarap sa aming pakiramdam na walang sumisita sa amin kapag sinasaway namin ang nag-iingay, tumatayo at palakad-lakad naming bunsong anak (it feels good that no one minded us whenever we stopped our son who was already getting noisy and walking around).”

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Posted in: 4public,members,sfm

ASP's Communication Internship available

The Autism Society Philippines is looking for volunteers or interns for communication: content writing and editing, and post-event reporting. We welcome ASP members, students, professionals, or anyone who has the intention of devoting their talents and skills to helping build an Autism-Ok Philippines.

Communication Internship poster

Candidates must have:

- good communication skills

- English writing skills, specially for post-event reporting of ASP’s growing and ongoing activities, speaking engagements, including invitations from private and public organizations

- must have initiative, creativity, and professional skills

- can work from home with a stable internet connection

For interested parties, please email your resume to autismphils@gmail.com.

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Posted in: 4pros,4public