By: Joy Ofrecia, President ASP City of San Fernando Pampanga Chapter
ASP CSFP (ASP San Fernando Pampanga Chapter) conducted its third Family Support Group meeting last June 18, 2011, with Ms. Riza Cansanay, President of ASP Laguna Chapter, as guest facilitator. Riza has Masters in Family Resource Management and Special Education.
Five guests of honor from Hagonoy, Bulacan, lead by Dra. Anawi Tolentino were joined by 14 parents at the venue Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Fdn., Inc., through the kindness of Ms. Tonette M. Gomez.
During the discussion, Riza discussed the different phases that families affected by autism go through. She focused on the not so good things that autism may bring to the affected family member and the family itself. The facilitator intentionally did this on purpose, as she didn’t want the attendees to just relax, hoping that things will get better on their own.
 |
| Participants during the Family Support Group |
An advocate of Early Intervention, Riza said that parents of children with autism need to work doubly hard to give the best appropriate care and management for them. Their hearts get heavier and heavier as the discussion nears adulthood phase but was neutralized by the realization that being a part of a support system like Autism Society Philippines, will give them hope and opportunity to be a better parent for their child with autism.
The success of Autism Resource Center of Laguna was the highlight of the days’ discussion, as Riza gave attendees a glimpse of what their children can achieve as adolescents and adults. Everyone got excited and hoped that a same center can be established here in Pampanga. As a result, the chapter is planning to have a trip to Los Baños on July 20, 2011.
Most of the struggles raised by the parents involved behaviors of their CWA. Parents have a hard time understanding and handling the CWAs challenging behaviors. Having these need identified, the chapter will be scheduling a small group workshop on behavior management after our Seminar on Behavior Management and Sensory Integration on July 9, 2011.
The chapter has been blessed with a number of activities in the last couple of months and this resulted to an increase in attendance and participation of families with autism in Pampanga. We acknowledge the kindness of individuals, groups and organization who have supported us and made our efforts materialize. As stakeholder participation improves, the chapter shall continue to commit itself in advocating for the cause of autism.
-----------------
Be an Angel for Autism. Donate generously to ASP Programs and Services. Donate to Autism Society Philippines Metrobank Kamias Branch 047-3-04751874-2. Email us at autismphils@gmail.com or call 7-903-5496.
0 comments:
Post a Comment