The 3rd Good Autism Practice Conference

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. – Professionals for Autism Foundation, Inc. -- a long-time ASP institutional member and supporter -- conducted a conference entitled “The 3rd Good Autism Practice Conference” last 29 June 2014 at Unilab Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong City. This conference was attended by a multitude of professionals and parents -- including ASP members and leaders, led by Ms. Jan Peña, ASP National President.

On-hand were respected speakers like Dr. Alexis Reyes, Lady Suarez, Mae Catherine Sadicon, Sunny Velasco, Juan Rapadas, Cecilia Sicam, Ma.Teresa Villanueva and Rita Grace Villadolid.

A participant shares, “It's nice to attend such seminar. It was like a family support group, especially if parents who have PWA kids share their experiences. It gives us hope, strength and will make us a better parents. The event gave us perspectives of autism which will help us understand and appreciate our child with autism.”

About the author. Imee Alviso is an ex-operating room nurse at Saint Lukes is now a full-time mom. She loves to sing, dance, play guitar, play badminton and swim with her three kids. She acts as driver, tutor and therapist to her bunso with autism. With the loving support of her expatriated husband, Imee serves as President of ASP Parañaque.

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Posted in: CARD,chapters,community,conference

August 2 Saturday Back to Back Seminars

The Miller Method Autism Intervention Program: Possibilities put into Practice
9:30am – 12:00pm

The Miller Method is a cognitive-developmental approach and incorporates developing capacity for using language. It uses the child’s behavioral repertoire and transforms these, even if they don’t seem to serve any purpose, into something functional, instead of extinguishing them. This session will highlight key aspects of the methodology, intervention strategies, assessment and evaluation and comparisons to other methods such as ABA. In addition, Dr. Mastrangelo will present some of the latest research findings on the importance of self-regulation and sensory integration.

Dr. Sonia Mastrangelo completed her PhD in Education at York University, Toronto, Canada. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Lakehead University (Orillia Campus) in the Faculty of Education and Dept. of Interdisciplinary Studies. Concurrently she is an International Early Intervention Consultant who provides weekly consultations to schools and clinics worldwide for the purpose of program development, assessment, intervention and family support in the area of ASD. She is working on a large scale study on the impact of early intervention on family outcomes in collaboration with Prof. Shanker and Dr. Casenhiser. She had worked as a special education resource teacher for several years since 1997.

All you need to know about Autism 
1:30 – 3:30pm

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects a child's ability to communicate and interact with others. 1 in 68 (CDC) children are now diagnosed to be within the Autism Spectrum. Our speaker this month is Dr. Rita Villadolid MD, FPPS, FPSDBP who will expound on the facts about autism that every parent should know and explain the different interventions and what can and should be done at home. This is also ideal for parents of children newly diagnosed with ASD.

Dr. Rita Grace R. Villadolid, MD FPPS, FPSDBP is a Developmental Pediatrician at Child Neurosciences Center, Manila Doctors Hospital and Consultant at St. Victoria Hospital in Marikina City. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor in Pediatrics, University of the Philippines College of Medicine – Philippine General Hospital. Dr. Villadolid is a diplomat at the Philippine Pediatric Society.

Single Seminar	Double Seminar
Pre-reg. *until July 31 ASP Member - P500.00 Non - Member - P600.00	Pre-reg. *until July 31 ASP Member - P800.00 Non - Member - P1, 000.00
On-Site Registration ASP Member - P600.00 Non - Member - P700.00	On-Site Registration ASP Member - P1, 000.00 Non - Member - P1, 200.00

Venue: Auditorium, 4th Floor Philippine Information Agency, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.
Map:  http://bit.ly/1o9dJ4F
Seminar Fee is inclusive of certificate, handouts and snacks.

Pre-registered participants may pay to Autism Society Philippines, Metro Bank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please fax the deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s to ASP office and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants will be accepted depending on the availability of slots. There will only be 70 slots available. No refund will be given to participants who do not show up on the date of the seminar. For more details, please call ASP at 02-926-6941 or 02-929-8447.

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. Their application and implementation are left at your discretion. The views and personal experiences of the speakers are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

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Posted in: 4parents,4pros,4public,seminar

A Seminar on "How Language Develops"

ASP Tacloban Chapter conducted a seminar on How Language Develops last 21 June 2014 at the Executive House of the Eastern Visayas State University. The seminar was facilitated by Speech Pathologist Suselyn Pascual and assisted by Maria Lourdes Vallesteros. Parents of CWAs and a number of SpEd teachers were in attendance.

Ms. Suselyn Pascual opened the seminar by enlightening the audience about the difference between speech, language, and communication. She made it clear that the process of formulating words, word combinations, or word meaning in the mind is still a function of language and the only part that is considered speech is the actual production of the sounds or words. Communication, on the other hand, focuses on the meaningful interchange of information. This is a very important point to note as it is challenging for people outside the field to identify these basic differences. Also, with this information, it is easier for parents and teachers to understand the development of speech, language, and communication of persons with autism and to identify specific priorities.

The discussion continued with the details on how language develops giving emphasis on the importance of exposing children with autism to the concepts in their environment.
Ms. Susy also shared basic tips on how to help non-verbal or low verbal children with autism develop speech. The parents and teachers were encouraged to observe their children’s imitation skills. For instance, it was pointed out that children who have difficulty imitating gross motor movements will definitely experience difficulty in imitating oro-motor movements, which is a requirement in developing speech.

The activity concluded with a group discussion, the participants were divided into two groups depending on the language level of their children, to help the parents and teachers deal with their specific difficulties.

About the author. Kris Garcia is one of the pioneer teachers of the Tacloban Center for Autism and other Developmental Disabilities which was closed after typhoon Yolanda. Teachers and parents from TCADD regrouped and opened the Eastern Visayas Center for Autism and other Developmental Disabilities last February 2014 reaching out to the whole Eastern Visayas, not just Tacloban City. Teacher Kris graduated at UP Tacloban in BS Psychology last 2009, took up teaching units in Leyte Normal University and became a licensed teacher last 2013.

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Posted in: 4parents,4pros,chapters,community,seminar

Autism Advocacy through Cooperatives

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons, united voluntarily to meet their common economic social and cultural needs and aspirations through jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Cooperatives exist in nearly all sectors of economic and social activities and are found in almost all countries of the world.

In the Philippines, the Autism Society Philippines has supported communities in the creation of independent economic ventures. And the many who advocate for autism acceptance and inclusion have contributed to the creation and growth of the cooperative movement.

Happy Homes Housing Cooperative was conceived by OneLife Foundation Inc. and ChildFind Therapy Center. It is being spearheaded by Special Education professor Dr. Edilberto Dizon, with the objective of providing adults with special needs and retirees a special community that gives lifelong care, supervision, and guidance, together with their families; work in sheltered employment; and involvement in leisure activities. It also seeks to provide families a continuous supply of providers for their children with special needs. Read more at http://www.happyhomeshousingcoop.org.

Kaakibat ng ASP Quezon City Credit Cooperative was organized by ASP Quezon City members with the purpose of helping its members and their children with autism. The cooperative aims to conduct activities that will support the cost of the children’s therapy and education and the cost of skills training and behavior therapeutic support of those facing adult life. With the guidance and supervision of the ASP parents, they provide opportunities for adults with autism to become productive, ordinary and useful citizens in our country. For more information, you may contact Josephine Palomares via josephinepalomares[at]yahoo.com.

Kaakibat ng ASP Laguna Credit Cooperative provides loans to its members for productive or provident purposes and to create actual work opportunities for young adults with autism and related disorders. This cooperative aims to help Person with Disabilities (PWD) to experience equality among the others, to give their special needs from the cooperative where they are belonging and soon to have an employment opportunity. They are based out of the Autism Resource Center in Los Baños, Laguna. Read more at http://asplagunachapter98.wordpress.com.

The United Nations’ International Day of Cooperatives is observed every first Saturday of July. One of its goals is to increase awareness on cooperatives, as well as strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other supporting organizations including governments.

About the Author. Marylyn V. Catig is currently the Program Assistant for Communication of ASP. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2013 at New Era University in Quezon City.

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Posted in: community,cooperative

Disability: A Rights Based Approach Seminar

A joint project of ASP UP CAMP and Pasay Chapter, this human rights based seminar conducted last 05 July 2014 at Pasay SPED Center, was well-attended with various participants ranging from ASP members, students of medical allied courses, SPED teachers and even students with autism including Ian Lopez from UP Los Baños with mom Catherine Lopez, ASP Laguna Chapter President.

The set-up of the venue allows the speaker, Mr. Ranilo Sorongon, to easily approach each participant and individually asked their opinions on certain topics and situations being discussed which makes for very lively discussions. It keeps the exchanging of ideas free-flowing making the topics easily understood and not boring. Overall, the seminar was a success and a learning experience for us as a member of the working committee and we are looking forward as we prepare for an upcoming collaboration with UP Camp Manila for another seminar this August. ​

About the Author. Hilda Cristobal is blessed with four children and one grandson. Her youngest son Jared Kevin, now 19 years old, lives with autism. This BS Criminology graduate serves many non-profit organizations. Since 2008, she is the treasurer of Ladies Circle 185, which aims to establish camaraderie and to empower women in the communities in Pasay. Hilda serves as ASP Pasay Chapter President.

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Posted in: 4parents,4public,4pwas,chapters,community