Autism Enabling Community

By: Riza Cansanay

Whenever I make a trip to Manila, I would not miss the signs that say “on this site will rise... a condominium… a new residential community…. or a new establishment.” These often left me wondering, dreaming…

In the more than 15 years of working with families and their children with autism, I have often witnessed these individuals retreat back to their “own worlds.” Sadly, after years of special schooling, they end up back at home, idle, and useless.

The program of ASP Laguna where Adults with Autism are trained to be productive

After school, opportunities ought to be available to individuals with autism. In an enabling community where people with autism are informed, concerned and involved. Opportunities to live (self care and home management), to play (socialization and recreation) and to work (being productive) - after all, the long stage of adulthood involves all these three. The enabling community will empower them to enjoy life in the society as typical individuals do.

On June of this year, the work-live-play training program for young adults with autism project in Laguna was born. The program will train young adults with autism and enable the chapter to network with families, member schools in Laguna, local government units and community groups so that enabling mechanisms can be established. Read more

Don’t miss Pinoy Power: The Laguna Experience for Work, Live & Play at the 11th National Conference on Autism. Join us on October 24 and 25, 2009, at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia. And witness Michael Cansanay (Riza’s 24 year old son with autism) working at the Autism Resource Center doing various jobs from beadworks, box assembly, clerical work, food service and messenger/delivery service. Here’s a sneak peak.

Ms. Riza Cansanay

Rizalinda Cansanay, MSC.E. is currently the President of ASP Laguna Chapter, the position she has held since the chapter was organized in October 1997. Her leadership has enabled the chapter to establish 3 community-based intervention centers (Calamba, Paete and Liliw), now partially subsidized by their local governments, and the Autism Resource Center in Los Baños.

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