Voc. Training, Job Coaching & Best Local Practices

By: Abegail Mendoza, ASP Program Assistant

After giving a series of free lectures last January during the celebration of 15th National Autism Consciousness Week, ASP National brings back the Back to Back Seminar Series on “Vocational Training for Persons with Autism” and “ABC’s of Job Coaching” this February 26, held at the Asian Social Institute, Manila with resource speaker, Ms. Maria Yolanda Michelle Bautista, Curriculum Director of The Learning Center.

The seminars with 81 participants in the morning and 51 participants in the afternoon were composed of ASP members, parents, school and institutional representatives, professionals and. Some came all the way from Nueva Ecija, Carmona, Tarlac and Ormoc.

Teacher Landa Bautista with the participants

Seminar Series

The lecturer focused on Transitioning of Persons with Autism as a lifelong process, which includes family, social, environmental, community, employment and leisure aspects of PWA’s life. Concepts, principles and best practices to equip students with special needs were discussed.

Vocational Training for Persons with Autism

Using the acclaimed TEACCH approach the following components are essential: (1) Pre-vocational Skills Training which focuses on work readiness, usually begins at pre-teen; (2) Adapted Secondary Program or Life Skills Training focuses in functional academics, social and work skills, self-awareness and values education, basic computer, and a like; (3) Work Transition Training Programs includes (a) sheltered workshops programs such as kitchen workshop or alternative livelihood programs for special needs adults and (b) OJT and Apprenticeship Program.

ABC’s of Job Coaching

Ideally, a work transition training program is school or community based. It is also essential that a Job Coach (para-professional or professional staff) is responsible for teaching job skills and associated behaviors for Person with Special Needs (PSN). The speaker also discussed the Fundamentals of Job Coaching, the ABC’s. A is the Awareness, is to seek all the possible networks that you have; through the family, friends, in school and also through the communities. B is for the Bridging the Gap between the School and the Job Site that includes the 3 steps; educate the company, orient the company’s personnel and comply with company regulations. And C is to Customize and Strategize, under this are the 3 important skills which is job task analysis, structured teaching and incidental teaching.

Role of Government

To inform the participants about the role of government in implementing programs for persons with autism, special guest Ms. Rosebelle Mercurio, head of the PWD Coordinating Office of Carmona, Cavite shared the how their programs and services which have been benefiting the PWD constituents.

Last January 18, 2011, ASP organized a Community Based Rehabilitation or CBR Visit to Carmona with together with PWD Organizations and LGUs. The said visit is part of the 15th Autism Consciousness Week Activities.

Mayor Dhalia Loyola together with Congressman Roy Loyola started the Municipality of Carmona (Region IV-A or CALABRZON) PWD Program which won them the Apolinario Mabini Award for Local Government Unit of the Year in 2008 and the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee in 2009.

ASP envisions an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become, to the best of their potentials, self-reliant, productive and socially accepted members of the community. We continue to Share our Hopes with you. Help us Build our Dreams. Donate generously to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank Kamias Branch 047-3-04751874-2.