ASP colors the world Autism-OK!

The Autism Society Philippines is celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by shedding the traditional colors the commemoration is associated with; and opening our world to the entire color spectrum! This initiative echoes our call for, not only awareness; but more importantly, acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism!

We would like to invite children with autism, families and friends to join us at a collaborative art event aptly called the ASP Color It A-OK! at the Mall of Asia Arena Music Hall on 2 April, Tuesday at 3pm-6pm. We will be coloring a huge coloring book 40 square meters large! We will be providing CRAYONS; but participants are encouraged to bring their own. NOTE: We are no longer using wet paint, as requested by participants.

Sign up on Eventbrite via http://bit.ly/asp-colorAOK. Print the ticket; and affix name and signature. Bring a signed ticket to the venue to gain access to the event. The event is FREE; but donations of art supplies are welcome! If the effort is recognized by Guinness Book of World Records, as the world's biggest coloring book, we will send certificates to everyone who participated.

Let's make a day of it! ASP Chapters, schools, supporters and families are encouraged to help color the world Autism-OK! As an additional security precaution, please wear the Angels Walk for Autism 2019 shirt or any GREEN top.

The following prizes are at stake for the biggest contingents:

FIRST PRIZE: Kidzania Tickets (16 children, 16 adults)
from Cebu Pacific
SECOND PRIZE: P10,000 gift certificates
from SM Department Store Children and Infant Clothes Section
THIRD PRIZE: P8,000 gift certificates
from SM Department Store Children and Infant Clothes Section

WANTED: VOLUNTEERS to help distribute art supplies and guide participants at the event. Volunteer must be able to 1) attend volunteer orientation on April 1, Monday, 1pm at the ASP National HQ (http://bit.ly/asp-map2); and 2) go to SM MOA Music Hall by 1pm on April 2, Tue for event prep. If you are able to help, please join this FB Messenger thread and introduce yourself! https://m.me/join/Abaev8WWg0iB3r-9.

This national autism advocacy event is organized by the Autism Society Philippines with SM Cares, SM Mall of Asia, National Council on Disability Affairs, Summit Books, Cebu Pacific; and supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan-ASEAN Cooperation, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, ASEAN Autism Network and the ASEAN Autism Mapping Project.

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Posted in: aan,art,colors,community

ASP Project Gourm-A showcases an Autism-OK dining experience

As we anticipate the global commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day, the Autism Society Philippines invites all to a Project Gourm-A [gur-'may] Autism-OK dinner on 30 March 2019, Saturday, at the Vatel Restaurant Manila on the roof deck of the Hotel Benilde in Manila City (Map: https://goo.gl/maps/3ydyiJDoh3v).

This ASP Autism Works x Project Gourm-A event aims to discover and show off skills of individuals on the spectrum in the restaurant industry. These encounters inspire acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism through delivery of an autism-inclusive dining experience, development of employability skills of persons with autism in the food industry, development of autism-inclusive workplaces, and exposure of professionals in the food and hospitality industries to neurodiverse individuals.
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"A Project GourmA event, as always, promises to be an intimate, sumptuous dinner. We dine. We have fun. We celebrate diversity and inclusion." shares ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz. "This project, which is among Autism Works pillars, allows the general public to experience how many young adults on the autism spectrum are ready for employment in the food and restaurant industry."

This year's event is done in partnership with the De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde family -- the Center for Inclusive Education, the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management, and Vatel Restaurant Manila; with the participation of student organizations Chefs in Progress and World Hoteliers in Progress. Young adults with autism will work as kitchen staff, bartenders, waiters and hosts, alongside neurotypical students to provide a unique dining experience.

"Benilde has always believed in the importance of inclusion. In providing our students with opportunities for learning, along with the necessary support and accommodations, we open doors for them to become contributing members of society" declared Ms. Nicky Templo-Perez, Director for the De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde Center for Inclusive Education. "We are so excited to be supporting ASP’s Project Gourm-A and have our students from the SHRIM organizations work with persons with autism! I’m sure it will be a powerful experience for everyone."

Dean Angelo Lacson of De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde SHRIM is among the project's enthusiastic supporters. "Embracing inclusion as School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management is not about just following the mandate of the College but rather our championing of equal opportunity and equal representation. This dinner involving young adults on the autism spectrum is our school’s initial step in providing them with hospitality and culinary enrichment options.”

The three-course French Mediterranean set-menu dinner will be overseen by the Vatel Restaurant Manila Executive Chef Pierre Cornelis.

Your minimum donation of P1,000 per head will help support ASP's programs and services for families who live with autism. Sign up below to reserve your seats for either the 6pm or the 8pm dinner service. An electronic ticket will be sent to your email to confirm your reservation.

The Autism Society Philippines, through its Autism-OK Philippines campaign, aims to build an autism-inclusive society by working proactively with the public and private sectors to create institutional mechanisms that inspire responsive policies and programs, autism-inclusive education, autism-friendly public spaces, compassionate workplaces, more transitions specialists, more professionals on the spectrum and livelihood opportunities for PWAs and their families. #AutismOKPH #TRENTAgether

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Posted in: autism works,employment,food,fund-raising,partners,partnership,project gourm-a,university

ASP PWAy Day for the month of March and April

“Autism … offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by,” --- Dr. Colin Zimbleman, Ph.D.

The Autism Society Philippines Wednesday "PWAy Day" aims to provide enrichment for teens and adults with autism who are not currently enrolled in schools. ASP PWAy Days will offer opportunities to learn new skills, to socialize with non-family members and to have fun. This will be every Wednesday, from 2pm to 4pm at ASP Headquarters. This is open to all PWA members, 16 years old and above.

On March 13 - PWAYmates will prepare Yema Cake.  Yema cake is not a traditional Filipino cake but rather a new creation. This cake is a type of chiffon or sponge cake infused with cream cheese then flavoured with yema, a type of milk custard candy popular in the Philippines.. This will teach the PWAs on proper food hygiene, simple food preparation, and presentation. Participants must bring their own hair net, apron, own food containers and closed shoes (no slippers or sandals please). Prepare a P200 donation when you get on-site.

On March 20 - we will have a fun Indoor Games for Adults with Autism. This activity will help adults with autism to increase and develop the following: social interaction among other PWAs, help your PWAs to seek out lifelong friendships while learning how to take turns and partake in socially appropriate behaviors, build the skills required for communication through playing and interacting, physical activity is also suggested to improve self-esteem. Participants must wear comfortable shoes, bring extra shirt, water and a simple snacks.

On March 27 - PWAYmates will make No Bake Banana Muffins.  Banana Muffin is a snack or “merienda”, loved by many Filipinos. If you love bananas so much then this will be your comfort food because its main ingredient is, of course, a ripe banana. This will teach the PWAs on proper food hygiene, simple food preparation, and presentation. Participants must bring their own hair net, apron, own food containers and closed shoes (no slippers or sandals please). Prepare a P200 donation when you get on-site.

On April 3 - we will have a Sensory-Friendly Movie - This will provides a sensory friendly environment for individuals with autism for whom the environment is suitable and their families to watch the movie. These screenings will allow bringing up the lights, turning down sound volume, allowing families/PWAs to bring in their own snacks. PWAs can get up, dance, walk, shout, sing, go in and out of the room. Prepare a P100 donation when you get on-site.


"Adults with autism who are no longer in school end up in the fringes of society." Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP National President shares, "ASP is deeply invested in building a society where a individuals with autism be the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive and socially-accepted members of the community -- no matter where they are on the spectrum. By keeping PWAs active and engaged outside the home, we are also training the society to be more aware of what autism is, to be more appreciative of their gifts and to be more accommodating of their deficits."

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Posted in: 4pwas

Women leaders of ASP inducted on women's month

The newly-elected Board of Trustees (2019-2020) of the Autism Society Philippines took their Oath of Office at the Angels Walk for Autism at the MOA Arena in Pasay on March 3 -- having been elected by the ASP membership through on-line voting done from November 2018 to January 2019. The swearing in was led by DSWD Undersecretary Florita Villar and NCDA Ms. Carmen Zubiaga.

The recognition of women leaders was made in time for the commemoration of the National Women's Month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Aside from being mothers to individuals with autism, these leaders are responsible for a growing national advocacy that aims to create a society where people with autism can become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive, socially-accepted members of an Autism-OK Philippines.

(L-R) Mona Veluz, Peng So, Ces Sicam, Evelyn Go, Helen Cheng, Grace Adviento,
Carmel Almendrala, Marivic Ramos, Joy Ofrecia, Imelda Alviso, Donna Lim

ASP Executive Committee

Mona Liza M. Veluz (National President) 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 designed and engineered the implementation of 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.

Perlita W. So (National Vice-President) inspires others to think beyond the autism diagnosis and to enrich the lives of children with autism by gifting them with valuable life experiences. Peng is the creative heart behind ASP PWAy Day, a weekly activity for youth with autism and Project ChocolatA, a sheltered workshop which aims to train PWAs in chocolate making while earning. Peng juggles between being a full-time, hands-on-mom to her two gems on the spectrum, Patrick (who graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University) and Angelo (who undergoes functional life
skills and pre-vocational training); and, with her husband, empowering her other adult children in handling the family business.

Cecile S. Sicam (National Secretary) is one of the 11 original founders of the Autism Society
Philippines. She has served ASP in many capacities, as President from 2001 to 2004; and as its
current Secretary. Cecile has been instrumental in the founding of Professionals for Autism
Foundation, Inc., Center for Autism and Related Disorders, the Philippine Association for Behavioral
Analysis. She taught SpEd for three years Santa Clara, California; and came back to serve Filipino
children with special needs. She served as Directress of Bridges Foundation, Inc. Her adult son, Likas, has been employed for more than a decade.

Evelyn O. Go (National Treasurer) has served as the ASP's Treasurer for multiple terms, with her invaluable no-non-sense financial management skills and business instincts. Evelyn juggled between managing her multiple businesses and taking up her MA in Special Education at the University of the Philippines, Diliman to help her son on the spectrum, Gelo.

Helen Q. Cheng (National Auditor) has orchestrated many major ASP events during the National Autism Consciousness Week celebration, World Autism Awareness Day, among others. Helen graduated from University of Santo Tomas with a BS Commerce degree. She attends to their family business and nurtures the creative talent of Kenrick Albert, an artist on the spectrum.

Erlinda U. Koe (Chair Emeritus) labors hard for the autism advocacy, while working full-time as the Vice President of Abraham Holdings. She has taken the lead on ASP's international initiatives and is the Honorary Chair of the ASEAN Autism Network.  For her regional advocacy work, she was honored as the 2018 ASEAN Prize Laureate. Dang is the mother to three boys, including Gio, an
adult on the autism spectrum, who propels her to be a passionate autism advocate.

Other National Trustees

Mary Grace L. Adviento has contributed to the autism advocacy in multiple capacities, most significantly as ASP’s President from 2010-2012. She was a pioneer facilitator for the ASP Early Detection and Intervention Program and SM Caring for Customers with Specials Needs seminars. Grace is mother to Adrian, a young man on the autism spectrum.

Carmel C. Almendrala has served as an ASP trustee since 1996.  Carmel was honored with an Ulirang Ina Awardee in 2010. She labored tirelessly to advocate for her youngest son Michael and for other persons with autism, as they relocated across many countries because of her husband's diplomatic work. Mike is employed at the Philippine Information Agency.

Imelda C. Alviso is a former OR Nurse at Saint Luke’s Quezon City and is a mother to three kids, including Andrea, a teenager in the spectrum. She served as the immediate Past President of ASP Parañaque Chapter.

Donna Lim is a dedicated choreographer who can work with dancers and actors of all ages and experience levels. Donna graduated from the College of the Holy Spirit with a BA in Fine Arts, major in Advertising. Donna is also a Philippine Mixxedfit National Trainer and Master Educator.  She contributes to the Angels Walk for Autism as the annual war-up coach and is a regular fitness volunteers at ASP PWAy Day. Donna is a mom to Desly, a young lady with autism.

Ma. Joyla N. Ofrecia earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Angeles University Foundation in 2012. She specializes in instruction for CWAs, home program management and behavior management. She serves as the president of the ASP City of San Fernando Chapter.  Joy is a mom to budding visual artist Juris.

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.

We wish our new leaders all the best in leading the Autism Society Philippines, its 13,000 members and 97 chapters towards greater heights.  To God be the glory!

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Posted in: elections,leaders

Family Support Group for the month of March

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.

Our facilitator for this month is Ms. Joyla Ofrecia. She is a mother of a young man with autism. She has been a hands-on mother and for almost 20 years, has been implementing home intervention programs along with other center-based interventions for her own son and other children with autism. She has earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Angeles University Foundation in 2012. She organizes seminars on autism. She also receives invititations as resource speaker from different groups for parents and teachers' training on teaching CWAs, Home Program Management and Behavior Management . She is the current president of the Autism Society Philippines City of San Fernando Chapter and an ASP National Trustee. Teacher Joy finds her fulfilment in her role as an advocate of autism and an instrument to empowering parents of children with disabilities especially autism.

Date: March 16, 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