New Autism Orientation Template for Camp Volunteers

By: Cathy Genovia, ASP Program Assistant

ASP gave a lecture to 60 Manila volunteers and 70 volunteers from Pampanga, La union and Pangasinan. The volunteers are members of Pagkakaisa Volunteers Inc. (PVI).

PVI members are required to attend a Training Series to help them face the challenges of dealing with different kinds of children with special needs (Autism, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Deaf and others with intellectual disabilities). Volunteers serve as counselors during a yearly camp to assist the children with their needs.

Teacher My Sorongon, ASP EDEIP (Early Detection and Early Intervention Program) Trainer, who also frequently lectures on autism, used some data that came from last year’s PVI Kamp.

Patterning after ASP’s Mall Orientation format, a new one was developed to cater to the Camp Volunteer’s specific needs. Thus the development of the new ASP streamlined “Understanding your CWAs (Campers with Autism)”.

Teacher My during her lecture in PVI Training

A special section on “What To Do?” answered some of the apprehensions of the volunteers. One section focused on understanding children with autism. The key is to look for something that will help us connect with them and them, with us. Click here to read our testimonials.

PVI Volunteers were at first intimidated with children with autism, as they are the hardest and most challenging wards to handle, compared to other children with disabilities. But thanks to the unending support of Autism Society Philippines’ Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon and Teacher My, PVI volunteers are now more equipped and more understanding of campers with autism.

A ten day therapeutic summer camp followed after the orientation. It was held last April 8-17, 2010 at Mexico Central Elementary School, Mexico, Pampanga and was headed by Mark Ernest Rosario, Kamp Director of Kamp Pagkakaisa 2010.

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ASP works hard to erase misconceptions about autism. To request for a streamlined “Autism Orientation” for your institutions or organizations, email us autismphils@gmail.com or call us at 7-903-5496 for more details.