State of the Art Facility for Children with Special Needs

ASP National Office, represented by Chair Emeritus Dang Koe, and Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon, was invited by the Rotary Club of Makati, last September 17, 2010, for a consultation of a planned “State-of-the-Art, One-Stop-Shop” Facility for children with special needs. Visiting together were Mr. Tony Pasia and Ms. Adette de la Paz of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI), Mr. Raul Manaligod of AD/HD Society of the Philippines (ADHDSP).

(from right) Ms. Adette Dela Paz and Mr. Tony Pasia of DSAPI, Mr. Raul Manaligod  of ADHD, Ms. Dang Koe of ASP (center), Mr. Dayal Nandwani  and Mr. Mundy Gonzalez of Rotary Club Makati (left)

Rotary Club of Makati is one of the many organizations responding to the call of this marginalized sector. In fact, the Stepping Stone Learning and Therapy Center, located at Bernardino Street, Makati City, is just one of their many projects. The center provides educational and therapy services to children with developmental disabilities of indigent families.

Mr. Dayal Nandwani, Treasurer, Rotary Club and Mr. Mundy Gonzalez, Member and President, Stepping Stone Learning and Therapy Center shared Rotary Club Makati’s dream of building a “State of the Art, One Stop Shop” facility that will cater to the needs of children with special needs (CNS), train SPED teachers and other service providers and house offices of parent support organizations like ASP, ADHDSP, and DSAPI.

Rotary Officers with ASP, ADHD and DSAPI Representatives

They also consulted the group on the state of special education, status of SPED professionals and the allied medical professionals in the country, as well as the needs of families affected with disabilities. The input will be incorporated in the concept paper that is being finalized by the Project Committee of Rotary Club. They assured the parent support organization representatives that they will work towards making the project into a reality.

In the Philippines, an estimated 500 thousand families, deal with autism daily and each year, the incidence of autism continues to rise. With its limited resources, our country cannot cope with the growing needs of Autism Spectrum Disorder; as well as other families who deal with other developmental disabilities, like AD/HD and Downs Syndrome. We thank the Rotary Club of Makati for taking this initiative in working towards a brighter future for special children.

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ASP continues to give you updates on the latest news about autism in the Philippine community. Be an Angel for Autism. Deposit your donation to ASP Banco De Oro Anonas-Kamias Branch Savings Account Number 3980002955. Email us at autismphils@gmail.com or call us at 7-903-5496. Visit our ASP National office at Room 307, ML Building #47 Kamias Road Quezon City.