By: Joy Nerona-Ofrecia, ASP City of San Fernando, Pampanga Chapter
ASP San Fernando, Pampanga Chapter (ASP-CSFP) had a very successful Autism Seminar last December 4, 2010, Saturday 1pm to 5pm at the Heroes Hall, City of San Fernando Pampanga (CSFP). An overwhelming number of fathers came and participated in the open forum, expressing their feelings and queries on how they would go about dealing with the condition of their child.
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| The "Super Moms" together with the guest speaker "Super Daddy Evert". |
ASP Vice President, Peng So, welcomed 36 individuals composed of parents, SPED teachers, therapists (OT/SP) from the different towns of Pampanga (Angeles, Apalit, Mexico and San Fernando) and neighboring provinces (Bataan, Bulacan). ASP Auditor and President of ASP Metro-South Chapter, Evert Malapad, was guest speaker.
“The idea of inviting Daddy Evert as guest speaker started when we met at the 2nd Regional Conference in Cebu City last October 24, 2010. Before we left the conference, we discussed on the possibility of organizing a seminar for ASP CSFP Chapter,” said Joy, one of the seminar organizers.
During the chapter’s meeting last November 6, Grace Mallari and Rhea Serrano, together with Joy Ofrecia; through the mentorship VP Peng So, proposed this idea to the group. After it was approved, the “super moms” got very busy with only two weeks left for preparations.
Despite lack of funds and work force, the chapter received unexpected calls and text messages inquiring about the details of the seminar. All these brought excitement to the organizers, so they continued to pursue the activity.
During the Autism Seminar on December 4, many praises along with comments and questions were raised. One statement stood out during the open forum. A father of a 3-year old boy with autism related that whenever well-meaning friends inquire about his son being “different,” he would tell them his child has delayed development. According to him, he doesn’t want people to remember his son as “having autism”, until he became “normal” again.
“Without hesitation I took the opportunity to tell the father that autism is a lifelong condition, and that it is not curable, but treatable. I also stressed that accepting and understanding the child’s autism should start in the family. We, as parents, must be their advocates so that our own acceptance will reflect on society,” said Joy, mom to 11 year old PWA Juris Ofrecia, who incidentally, led the opening prayer for the Autism Seminar.
Click here to read their family’s testimony.
Some parents were very thankful to discover that there is a Parent Support organization like ASP, catering to families dealing with autism. As a result, 10 people from a SPED school, professionals and parents signed up to be ASP members. This then led to the launching of the chapter’s first Family Support Group (FSG) Meeting.
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| The first launching of Chapter's Family Support Group facilitated by Teacher Randy Tallorin (in a Green ASP Polo Shirt) |
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| Both Parents and Teachers who attended the meeting were so grateful for having this kind of opportunity. |
Sixteen (16) ASP and non-ASP members, parents and teachers came to hear Teacher Randy Tallorin, mentor of soon-to-be ASP Bataan Chapter last Saturday December 11, 2010 at Chowking Sindalan, CSFP. They actively participated in the FSG discussion, which focused on a short orientation on Behaviour Modification and Sensory Integration.
Parents and teachers who attended the meeting were given information and techniques on dealing with behaviour and sensory issues of children with autism (CWA). The parents were also given advice on how to develop skills of CWAs, according to the child’s interests.
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The chapter is now planning to have a Seminar-Workshop on Behaviour Modification and Sensory Integration with Teacher Randy early 2011 after the FSG attendees clamoured for more FSGs and seminars on a regular basis. This is an additional success for ASP CSFP Chapter. We promise to have more fruitful events in the coming years.
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