Family Support Group for the month of August

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. We welcome members and non-members to this intimate gathering. New ASP members are encouraged to join.

Momie Victoria with son Mico

Ma. Victoria Ramos serves as the current Vice-President of ASP Laguna Chapter. A Trainer for Work, Live and Play Program to young adults with autism at Autism Resource Center (ARC), Marivic is a pillar of the autism advocacy community in Los Baños, immersing herself in special education and training and empowerment programs over the years. As an ASP delegate, she was elected to the board of the Philippine Community Based Disability Inclusive Development Association. She is a single mother to a young adult with autism, Mico, who works at the Autism Resource Center and SM Markets.

Date: 17 August 2019, Saturday
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Venue: Autism Society Philippines National Headquarters
Address: #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentebella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Sign up for the Family Support Group via the on-line form below or call +632 903.5496. Only 15 seats are available.

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Posted in: 4parents

Transition Planning Parent Workshop

August 24, 2019

9am - 12nn

This workshop is for parents who are looking for direction regarding their adolescents with Autism. The parents, together with their sons/daughters, will be encouraged to create a transition plan to help in making the future of these PWAs. The workshop entails defining a transition plan, making the transition team, setting long-term and short-term goals, and planning for follow-ups.

Our Speaker:

Mr. Dominic U. Cheoc, OTRP
Teacher Dom is an Occupational Therapist who has a passion for helping adolescents and adults in the Autism Spectrum. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines-Manila (UP-Manila) and currently taking up his Master's degree in Psychology, major in Industrial and Organizational Psychology in De La Salle University-Manila. He, together with his colleagues, initiated the Community Living Class in Clinic for Therapy Services-Adolescents and Adults Section - which aims to provide skills training for PWAs in marginalized settings. He is also a clinical supervisor and a lecturer in UP-Manila. Aside from these endeavors, he is the Operations Manager of Chatter Therapy Center, a clinic in Quezon City offering specialized Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Pathology services. He envisions to enhance the Adolescent practice of OT in the Philippines and promote inclusive workplaces for Persons who are differently-abled.

Seminar Rates: (certificate and snack included) 
The Seminar is exclusive to members of the Autism Society Philippines. Seminar rate is until August 22nd only, additional P200 for walkin registration.
P 400 - Seminar only (For existing ASP Members)
P 900 - Seminar + ASP membership

Seminar fees may be deposited to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please email the scan copy of your deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s and contact numbers to autismphils@gmail.com and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants or walk- in will be accepted depending on the availability of slots. There will only be 25 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 02-9035496.

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

The First Philippine Accessibility Summit

The Autism Society Philippines National President Mona Magno-Veluz was among the 200 participants of the First Philippine Accessibility Summit, spearheaded by the Presidential Human Right Committee. The event was a fitting end to the week-long celebration of the 41st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week; and congruent to our country's commitment to uphold the United Nations Convention to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The full government support and international NGO engagement was evident in the presence of the DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary to the President Atty. Michael P. Ong, United Nations Human Rights Coordinator Mr. Mika Kanervavuori, Philippine Human Rights Committee Executive Director USec. Severo S. Catura, DSWD USec. Florita Villar and DoTr USec Artemio Tuazon Jr.

The institutionalization of a national disability-centric forum is an admirable development. We need a unified strategic platform to develop disability-inclusive policy frameworks, consistent with aspirations of international and local groups for genuine inclusion. Local programs for persons with disabilities must align to global/national plans and supported/monitored accordingly.

The United Nations found, in its recent compliance audit, how the Philippine policies are still geared towards charity and medical "solutions" to disability. The Philippine government looks to future disability laws and policies, anchored on social- and rights-based premises. The government is dedicated to shifting from simply giving “needs” to honoring human rights — using their regulatory mandate to break down environmental, communications, organizational and attitudinal barriers.

The summit called for the adoption of the PANTHER principle in rights-based disability advocacy — Participation, Accountability, Non-Discrimination, Transparency, Human Dignity, Empowerment, and Rule of Law.

To reinforce the commitment to uplifting the rights of persons with disabilities, the government further committed 1) to address challenges on resource availability; 2) to review and improve laws and policies to be responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities; 3) to care for persons with disabilities and their families, consistent with the Philippine culture; and 4) to pursue initiatives on health, education, housing, environment, consistent in the context of disability rights.

NCDA dove into the difference between, segregation (separating by disability), integration (grouping without supports) and inclusion (grouping with appropriate supports) — with inclusion being the aspiration.

Clear is the government’s call for transformation towards “Nothing about us, without us”. The ASP has heeded this call and in 2018, supported the creation of the ASP Self-Advocates Circle towards nurturing a new generation of leaders and facilitate their participation at the national and international stage.

The DSWD reported that the latest National Disability Survey resulted in a 12 percent population disability rate. We look forward to the clear data, showing the inclusion of persons with non-apparent disabilities in these numbers. The full dis-aggregated statistical report will be available later this year.

This event is a laudable step towards holding government to account on implementing existing disability laws. Glaring was the lack of consideration for the needs of those with developmental disabilities. Noteworthy was the collaborative spirit of USec Nonoy Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee who encouraged the private sector to help government fill the gaps.

Autism-OK Philippines? Not yet; but we are getting there.

The Philippine Accessibility Summit ran from 24-25 July 2019 at the Heritage Hotel in Manila. Watch the summit as it unfolded here.

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Posted in: conference,disability

Nominations for the 9th Jollibee Family Values Awards are open!

The Autism Society Philippines chapters and members are encouraged to send nominations to the Jollibee Family Values Awards to join the ranks of past winners who have advocated for persons on the autism spectrum and their families.

"The Jollibee Family Values Awards (JFVA) is an annual recognition program of the country’s leading fast-food chain for exemplary Filipino families. It seeks to give honor to deserving families who exemplify positive Filipino family values such as generosity, compassion, love for the community, love for the environment, among others, while also providing selfless service to their communities. The JFVA has demonstrated that the Philippines boasts of a priceless class of heroes – entire families of socially responsible citizens who share the same values of making a difference in the lives of other people and communities." Special awards are given to exemplary families who uphold the rights of persons with disabilities.

The JFVA has seen it fitting to honor families affiliated with the Autism Society Philippines in the past years:

The Viscocho Family of Baguio, Benguet
2016 Winner
Special Citation for PWDs

The Pena Family of Dasmarinas, Cavite
2015 Winner

Mechanics and nomination forms can be found at https://jfva.jollibee.com.ph. Please direct all questions and comments to the organizers.

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Posted in: awards,family,jollibee

Evidence-Based Autism Intervention and Success Case Studies

27 July 2019

8:30am - 12:00nn

This moderated webcast will present a case of success covering the topics of communication, direct instruction, time management and making good choices from preschool age to early adulthood. 

About the Speaker:

Loukia Tsami, MA, BCBA, LBA completed the Applied Behavior Analysis certification program at Florida Institute of Technology. She graduated from Northcentral University with a Master of Arts degree in Psychology. She currently works as a research associate at the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Houston Clear Lake. Tsami is faculty at the University of Texas, Health Science Center and Baylor College of Medicine. Her research interests and publications include the topics of assessment and treatment of problem behavior as well as parent training via telehealth. She is the founder of Telehealth ABA World Project through which parents and educators who work with children with autism and other disabilities in 24 countries receive free training services.


Seminar Rates: (certificate and snack included) 
The Seminar is exclusive to members of the Autism Society Philippines. Seminar rate is until July 25th only, additional P200 for walkin registration.
P 400 - Seminar only (For existing ASP Members)
P 900 - Seminar + ASP membership

Seminar fees may be deposited to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please email the scan copy of your deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s and contact numbers to autismphils@gmail.com and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants or walk- in 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 02-9035496.

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.

Read more »

Posted in: 4parents,4pros