ASP cares for families of Children with Special Needs

By: ASaP News Team

ASP extends its arms to families dealing with autism. Monthly Family Support Group sessions are held to address the different concerns of the families. Last June 19, 2010, (9) mothers, two (2) fathers, two (2) siblings, one (1) Person with Autism (PWA), visited the national office.

the participants of Family Support Group

ASP also had special guests from Makati, three (3) mothers and their (3) children with Downs Syndrome. The mothers met ASP Trustee Jan Pena, during one of her talks at Bgy. La Paz on Makati City, on Early Detection and Early Intervention of Children with Autism.

Importance of a Support System
Having previously attended the Angels Walk for Autism with their families, the three mothers believed on having a support system for families of children with disabilities in their barangay area.

They also wanted to gather additional information on autism and PWD laws in order to help other mothers of CWA in their area. They came to visit on the invitation of ASP Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon.

Parents of children with disabilities often look for a support group that can understand what they are going through. At ASP, everyone is free to share, to cry and not to worry about what others would say. Below are some of the realizations of participants:

“I’m not alone in this battle and journey of our son’s life, that there’s hope.”
“I have to do more research and I’ll have to do my best for my son’s future.”
“We’re glad that there’s an organization like this that can help parents like us.”
“I also learned that there are existing laws that benefit people with disabilities.”

Process of Acceptance
One father, based in Huston, Texas said all the parents of children with autism go through the same journey, whether they are here in the Philippines, or abroad. Having a teen son, he understood what the parents who had newly diagnosed children with autism are going through.

The stages from denial, anger, bargaining, depression and eventually acceptance; and also the struggles of getting proper education and intervention for CWAs are more or less the same. The important lesson learned is not to give up trying and to give the best for our children.

Meeting Angels
“Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest. These lyrics came to mind as I read the messages from parents,” says Cathy Genovia, ASP Program Assistant. “God provides us with angels to comfort us. Here at ASP, you will meet angels. Sometimes, you can’t see their wings.”

ASP continues to work hard, caring for others. Sign up now for the next Family Support Group on July 24. Click here for more information. Hurry, limited slots available.

Posted in: 4parents,4pwas