Creating Autism-Friendly Home Learning Environments in the New Normal

Families of children and adults on the autism spectrum face unique challenges in building a positive home environment conducive to personal and academic learning. The Autism Society Philippines acknowledges the need for parents to take a hands-on role in their child’s development.

ASP is offering a four-part series of FREE FREE FREE seminars, EXCLUSIVE TO ASP MEMBERS. Each seminar is a pre-requisite to the next one in the series.

The seminars aim to equip families with strategies to thrive in a home-centered school and therapy arrangements in the new normal.

Free Seminar series exclusively for ASP Members

The series consists of the following topics:

Session 1: Inspiring Positive Behaviors
06 June 2020, Sat, 2pm-4pm

The session will answer questions often asked by parents in inspiring cooperative behavior in their children on the autism spectrum. How can you motivate your kids to do unpreferred tasks, be more compliant, preempt aggressive behaviors? THIS SESSION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE 3 SUCCEEDING SESSIONS.

Our Speaker:

Ms. Cecile Sicam

Cecile Sicam is one of the 11 original founders of the Autism Society Philippines. She has served ASP in many capacities, as Secretary, President from 2001 to 2004; Vice President. Cecile has been teaching children with special needs for more than 2 decades. She taught SpEd for three years Santa Clara County, California; and upon her return resumed her position as Program Coordinator of Bridges Foundation Inc.

She served as BFI's Directress from 2010-2016. She was her son's job coach upon his transition from school. Her adult son, Likas, has been employed for more than a decade. Now retired, she is currently ASP's Board Secretary, Education Committee Head and Project Manager of the Homepowerment Project.

Session 2: Developing Speech and Communication
20 June 2020, Sat, 9am-11am

Session 3: Structured Teaching at Home
27 June 2020, Sat, 2pm-4pm

Session 4: Meeting Sensory Needs through Movement
04 July 2020, Sat, 2pm-4pm

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Posted in: 4parents

ASP and Daivergent partner to bring data management jobs to Filipinos on the autism spectrum

The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) and Daivergent formally inked a partnership on 4 May 2020 towards the employment and support of employees on the autism spectrum in work-from-home jobs in artificial intelligence and machine learning data management.

In an environment of economic slowdown brought by the global pandemic, this partnership is a welcome opportunity to jobseekers on the autism spectrum who have historically experienced lower employment rates and higher rates of social isolation compared to people with other disabilities.

The Autism Society Philippines has been running the ASP Autism Works program since 2015. It has opened 220 positions to neurodiverse workers, in 53 enterprises, in 10 provinces, across multiple industries -- such as retail, dining, real estate and business process outsourcing.

“Our partnership with Daivergent is a natural progression to the work we do towards understanding the needs of jobseekers on the autism spectrum.” shared Mona Magno-Veluz, the ASP National President. “The opportunity to prove one’s skills as an individual contributor is a good match for the aspirations of many in our talent pool. Neurodiverse Filipino youth are well positioned to excel in structured, visual tasks in a flexible, less stressful environment.”

Founded in December 2017, New York-based Daivergent looks to leverage talent on the autism spectrum to help complete tasks in training data for artificial intelligence, data management & processing, and analytics. They have added the Autism Society Philippines to their global roster of partners to source talent. The ASP is tasked to facilitate the screening process locally, which assesses jobseeker abilities to complete data management tasks. Job seekers who complete the initial assessments, get further training from Daivergent and start working on projects under a work-from-home arrangement, supported by job coaches from ASP.

Daivergent co-founder and CEO, Byran Dai, has seen first-hand about the aptitude of the autism community through his brother, Brandon, who is on the spectrum. “ASP and Daivergent are creating the bridge to connect Filipino job seekers on the autism spectrum with the 21st century economy,” said Dai. “By partnering with The Autism Society Philippines, we have created a new opportunity to introduce companies building the most innovative AI and data products to a uniquely-capable population of Filipino adults and youth on the autism spectrum.”

Daivergent CEO and Co-Founder Byran Dai and ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz signed a partnership to bring work-from-home data analyst roles for jobseekers on the autism spectrum.

About the Autism Society Philippines. ASP is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, productive and socially-accepted members of the community. ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support people on the autism spectrum and their families. Established in 1989, the organization -- composed of 13,000 members spread over 98 chapters -- has been in the forefront of providing services to families and individuals on the spectrum. (http://www.autismsocietyphilippines.com)

About Daivergent. Daivergent is a technology platform that allows companies to fulfill data requests and jobs by matching to the best-suited workforce: adults with autism. Its software enables autism talent to enter into the remote and in-person workforce at scale for the very first time. Daivergent partners with over 100 autism organizations across the globe, providing an AI-powered approach to identifying exceptional, untapped talent who are uniquely capable of solving the AI & data challenges of the world’s most innovative companies. (http://www.daivergent.com)

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Posted in: autism works,corporate,daivergent

Message from the ASP National President

Dear ASP Advocates,

The Autism Society Philippines released a survey to OFFICIAL members last March 30 via Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Viber, SMS and email; and we thank all who responded on-time to our call for information. The data became critical inputs to the ASP community needs analysis that followed.

For the 80 percent of the respondents who primarily needed help with challenges in the home and with daily activities for their children on the spectrum, we rolled out on-line services and projects such as the ECQ facilitation letters, “ASP Ask the Experts Live” and “ASP PweDay x ECQ.” We thank professionals, volunteers and participants who have stepped up to bring this vision to life.

For the 20 percent of the respondents who humbly called out for financial help, we immediately and quietly worked to find resources. Thanks to the generosity of private donors, we were able to send assistance to (1) OFFICIAL members who (2) responded to the survey ON-TIME and (3) EXPLICITLY asked for financial help. These are the three inclusion criteria for the assistance.

All that ASP does, all that we share, is meant for OUR CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM — their food, their medicines, their needs and their overall welfare.

The following chapters have members who received a small financial assistance from our generous private donors this week — ASP National, ASP Angeles, ASP Angono, ASP Antipolo, ASP Bacolod, ASP Bacoor, ASP Baguio, ASP Binangonan, ASP CDO, ASP CSFP, ASP Davao, ASP Imus, ASP Lagro, ASP Lemery, ASP Mandaluyong, ASP Marikina, ASP Molino, ASP Olongapo, ASP Pasay, ASP San Mateo, ASP Tandang Sora, ASP Taytay at ASP UP-CAMP Manila.

We appreciate members who declined the financial assistance so we can stretch our small budget to reach those with a more profound need. Your small sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.

The ASP National leadership thanks you all for valuing and nurturing your continuous membership in ASP. We appreciate the commitment of members and chapters who do not let their memberships and accreditations lapse, and uphold ASP’s high governance standards.

Now, more than ever, we ask for your tangible support of ASP, maintaining chapter accreditations, staying engaged on-line and supporting others in our community. This will ensure the sustainability of our society’s efforts to adapt to the times, until we win over this crisis.

We will continue to strive to be innovative and relevant in our service of the ASP family. May God continue to bless our families and our shared advocacy!

In service,
MONA MAGNO-VELUZ
National President

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

Join the ASP ARTismo Fashion Art Competition

[Postponed Indefinitely]

Digital Poster for the Art Competition

In commemoration of the 12th United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, the Autism Society Philippines is holding the ASP ARTismo Fashion Art Competition on 2 April 2020, Thursday, at the Mall of Asia Music Hall, at 10am to 12nn. The ASP Artismo is the culture and arts platform of the Autism Society Philippines. It harnesses the beauty of art as a form of self-expression and elevates the skills of artists on the spectrum towards a creative vocation.

Individuals on the autism spectrum are invited to sign up for the on-the-spot shirt painting contest, with the theme "Kakaiba x Kasali," consistent with our call to celebrate differences. This event is a collaboration between the Autism Society Philippines, ASEAN Autism Network, SM Cares, SM Mall of Asia, GMA Artist Center and ARTipolo.

The competition has the following criteria for participants.
- Artist must be on the spectrum, 8 years old and above.
- Artist must already have experience in painting on fabric.
- Artist must fill out the form below. A photo of his latest painting need to be submitted.

Artists on the spectrum will take the following design challenge -- with art coaches from ARTipolo on site to guide contestants.
- Shirt must be completed in 45 minutes or less.
- Shirt design must be inspired by the theme -- Kakaiba x Kasali
- Shirt design must only use 4 colors and must be in portrait orientation.
- Shirt design must have no text.
- Artists may prepare the design concept at home and execute on site. Visual guides are allowed. Tracing is NOT allowed.
- Companions may sit behind the artist to keep them focused and to assist in handling the supplies and cleaning workspace. But companion cannot paint the shirt.

Art materials will be provided. No fees will be collected from the artists. Three winners in the following age categories will bring home a certificate and a cash prize.
-Group A - 8-14 years old - First Place, Second Place, Third Place
-Group B - above 14 years - First Place, Second Place, Third Place

Confirmed judges (so far) are: Mr. Chito Bauzon (AVP - CSR, SM Supermalls), Ms. Michelle Dee (Miss World Philippines 2019 and ASP Goodwill Ambassador), Mr. Baldwin Kho (Founder, Center for Developmental Arts Manila, Inc

The program will proceed as follows:
0930H REGISTRATION
1000H ART SESSION | Opening | Instructions to Artists | Painting Session | Snacks | Judging
1100H AWARDING | Opening Prayer | National Anthem | Messages of Hope | ASP PWeDay Tie-Dye Fashion Show | Artist Performances | Winners | Group Photo

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Posted in: art,artismo,competition,WAAD

Join the ASP AUthletics Bowling Tournament

[Postponed Indefinitely]

Authletics Bowling Tournament Digital Poster

The Autism Society Philippines invites bowlers on the autism spectrum to join us for a morning of fun and fitness! The ASP AUthletics Bowling Tournament is pre-qualifier to the ASEAN Autism Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 2020.

What: ASP AUthletics Bowling Tournament.
When: 31 May 2020, Sunday, 10am - 12nn.
Where: SM Megamall Bowling Center, Pasig City

Participant Criteria
-A player must be at least eight (8) years old
-A player must be able to carry at least a 7-pound ball
-Able to play 10 bowling frames
-Must sign up using form below. Limited slots. Deadline for registration is 25 March 2020, noon.
-Must be wearing the ASP Angels Walk 2020 shirt on game day
-Must pay P100 participation fee on-site to partially cover cost bib, certificate, shoes, lane fees and simple snacks

Team Criteria
-Open to ASP chapters
-Each team can send max 6 players
-Four (4) highest scores from each city (regardless of category) will determine Team Category winners

Categories. Gold, silver and bronze medals are at stake for:
(1) Group A - 8 to 14 years old (Assisted/Unassisted)
(2) Group B - 14 years old and above (Assisted)
(3) Group C - 14 years old and above (Unassisted)
(4) Team - combined score of four (4) participants per city

A special award will go to Best Parent Cheerleader Group.

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Posted in: authletics,bowling,sports