Promoting Physical Wellbeing of Children with Autism

Physical wellbeing, which is the ability to perform physical activities and carry out social roles without being hindered by physical and biological limitations, is a key contributor to health and development. For children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, promoting physical wellbeing goes beyond allowing kids to move on their own. We need to encourage the participation in physical activities so that children will gain the known associated health benefits. This talk will present the guidelines related to physical activity, behavior when sitting or lying down, and sleep for young children. This will be followed by a discussion of considerations and tips on how to promote physical activity in young people with autism, especially in the context of the current pandemic.

The ASP Education and Empowerment Program serves as a platform to educate Filipino parents and professionals on the various interventions, modalities and theories surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder, through monthly seminars and workshops. 

"Promoting Physical Wellbeing of Children with Autism"

06 December 2020, Sunday, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Register below and respond to the survey to receive the Zoom link.

How to Register

To attend this FREE webinar is open to the public, specifically, parents of children on the autism spectrum. 

(1) Fill out the form below.

(2) Respond to a four-part survey (link to be sent via email), needed in the conduct of a study entitled, “A cross-sectional study on the association of vaccine hesitancy among parents of children with neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders to vaccine utilization” by Health Sciences students of the Ateneo De Manila University. Researchers would like to understand parents’ understanding and practices towards vaccination. Background information, questions about views in relation to vaccines, clarifying questions, and supplementary questions will be covered. 

(3) Receive Zoom details upon receipt of survey response.

About the Speaker

Dr. Catherine M. Capio is an experienced pediatric physical therapist, and has continuing collaborations with developmental pediatricians, therapists, and teachers in the Philippines. She is an expert in the intersecting areas of motor development, physical activity, and health. Prior to joining The Education University of Hong Kong, she served as a Senior Research Advisor in a New Zealand Crown agency, and a Research Fellow in the University of Waikato. Her other previous roles are in the University of Hong Kong and the University of the Philippines Manila. She was also an international scholar in the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium where she trained in the area of psychomotor therapy.

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Posted in: 4parents,seminar

The Uncomfortable "Iska"

The opening scene of "Iska" was unusually long. The titular character was struggling to slip a t-shirt over her grandson on the autism spectrum. It was all too familiar to me, something I experienced with my eldest son as a toddler. It left me tired and I remember thinking, "Ano ba! Umpisa pa lang ito!"

Ted Boborol is well-known as a director of feel-good, kilig rom-coms. His "Iska" takes a darker path. Iska\"s life is a series of scarring tragedies, so different from mine. She is stronger than I could ever be; but we share the universal need to be with and provide for those we love the most.

Ruby Ruiz (whose portrayal earned multiple awards here and abroad) will sweep you into the characters\" misery. I remember sitting at the CCP during the Cinemalaya screening, in tearless mourning, hoping that this tragic situation stays fictional and rooting for a happy ending that will never come. My husband and I had a late dinner after the film -- nangailangan kami pareho ng "pagpag".

Direk Ted captured profound autism honestly, thanks to the prowess of the young actor Pryle Gura. Seeing this may be uncomfortable for those who think that the autism spectrum is filled with quirky, socially-awkward savants ala Sheldon. The hardship is real, as many in the Autism Society Philippines community know from experience. We need to inspire the courage to be uncomfortable to teach society about poverty, disability, autism and other conditions the sheltered do not understand. Discomfort is part of our path to growth -- towards acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of people with disabilities.

Get ready to be "uncomfortable". "Iska" starts streaming on Netflix today!

This film review was written by Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP National President, originally published on her blog, "Mighty Magulang”

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Posted in: 4parents,4public

ASP Family Support Group for November 2020

Date: 21 November 2020, Saturday
Time: 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89605625008

Meeting ID: 896 0562 5008

ASPs monthly family support group sessions bring together parents, siblings and other family members to talk about their journey in living with autism. Participants share their experiences and draw enlightenment and strength from others going through the same challenges.

The Autism Society Philippines -- together with this month's host, ASP Cebu -- welcome members and non-members, bound by a common experience that is autism. We aspire to educate, empower and inspire to help build an Autism-OK Philippines.

FSG poster

Our Moderators:

MS. MONA MAGNO-VELUZ. Ms Mona is the National President of the Autism Society Philippines. She received degrees in Business Administration, Applied Economics and Strategic Marketing from the University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Asia and the Pacific and the London School of Business. Drawing from her experience as a corporate communications and recruitment professional, she helped grow the national advocacy initiatives such as the 1Pangako, ASP Angel Corps, A-OK Philippines campaigns and the widely-successful ASP Autism Works economic empowerment initiative. She speaks publicly on disability advocacy, leadership, and genealogy. Mona is a wife and a mom to three kids. Her eldest, Carl, is an adult on the spectrum who is active in the community -- volunteering, working on his entrepreneurial ventures and finishing an architecture course.

MS. BABYLIN ROA. Ms Babylin is the chapter president of ASP Cebu. She is the mother of 24yr old Kalvin who is in the spectrum. Kalvin worked in a supermarket under the AutiSM Works Initiative Program of Autism Society Philippines. Mommy Babylin is a licensed Civil Engineer but found her passion in Special Education and Counseling. In 2010, she set up Kite Strings Developmental Center, Inc. with her friend Sandra, with the hope of helping other children with developmental delays and support parents and family members who like her, had her own share of challenges raising Kalvin. Babylin and Sandra are co-program managers of AutiSM Works Cebu.

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Posted in: 4parents

Developing Language and Reading Skills at Home

The webinar will cover practical tips and strategies on how to support language acquisition and reading skills development for children with autism in the home setting. The webinar aims to guide parents in choosing developmentally appropriate reading materials and to equip them with skills in conducting read-aloud, performing vocabulary building activities, and facilitating oral and written language tasks.

The ASP Education and Empowerment Program serves as a platform to educate Filipino parents and professionals on the various interventions, modalities and theories surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder, through monthly seminars and workshops.

"Developing Language and Reading Skills at Home"

28 November 2020, Saturday, 2:00 pm - 4:00pm

Please register below to get the Zoom link.

Our Speaker:

Teacher Christine Joy Asas also known as Teacher Tin is a practicing Reading Specialist in Canopy Therapy Center and Medmom Institute for Human Development. She is a founding member of CORIS (Council of Reading Intervention Specialists Inc.) and a co-founder of LitCore Center for Holistic Literacy Development. She has been working in the clinical setting for 12 years and she has devoted much of her work to providing reading intervention and academic support to students with autism. She has designed inclusive SpEd programs for schools and has spearheaded numerous training and workshops under DepEd and NGOs as well. Currently, she has her own FB page and YouTube channel where she shares tips, strategies, and resources for fellow teachers and interventionists who have migrated their practice online. Most importantly, she is an older sister and guardian to an adult diagnosed with Intellectual Disability and is an advocate of providing formal literacy instruction to all types of learners.

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Posted in: 4parents

Happily Ever After: A Virtual Costume Contest

We all may not be able to go out for trick or treat this year; but we can still have fun from home. Join our first ever Autism Society Philippines virtual costume contest and get a chance to win prizes! You can send your entries between 23 October to 1 November 2020.

MECHANICS:

(1) The contest is open to children and youth on the autism spectrum. No age limits.

(2) Dress up as your favorite cartoon hero or villain. Spooky or macabre costumes are discouraged. 

(3) Take a photo, dressed in your costume. Photos from previous years are also acceptable. 

(4) Send the best photo (just one) to ASP FB Messenger, with your name, mailing address and contact mobile number. 

(5) Contestants will be invited to attend the Happily Ever After: A Virtual Costume Contest Launch Zoom event on 28 October 2020, Wednesday at 2pm to play a animated movie quiz and to talk about their costumes.

(6) Contestants may still send their entries until 1 November 2020, Sunday noon. 

(7) Photos will be posted on the ASP FB Page. Voting via Facebook likes will run from 28 October 2029, Wednesday to 1 November 2020, Sunday, midnight.

(8) Criteria: Overall Impact (40%), Match toTheme (20%) and On-line Votes (40%). 

(9) One winner for the Male and Female categories will be announced on 2 November 2020, Monday via the ASP Facebook Page and Instagram. The prize includes P1,000 and a gift pack.

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Posted in: 4pwas,contest,pweday