By Cricel B. Elises, ASP Administrative Staff
ASP National conducted a Seminar on Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Forum on Family Journey with Autism last July 28, at Asian Social Institute Malate, Manila, with 78 participants in the morning and 60 participants in the afternoon. Ms. Perlita So (ASP National Vice-President), Ms. Evelyn Go (ASP Treasurer), Mr. Evert Malapad (ASP Auditor) and Ms. Noemi Viado (Trustee) came to support the event.
In the morning, Picture Exchange communication System (PECS) was discussed by Ms. Stefanie Lopez Sy a certified PECS, T.E.A.C.C.H and ABA practitioner. She is also a licensed/certified Early Childhood Special Education interventionist and taught at the Santa Clara Country Office of Education in San Jose and Milpitas, California for children with special needs.
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| Participants during their workshop |
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| (from left) Ms. Stefanie Sy (speaker) with Ms. Perlita So, ASP Vice President and Ms. Evelyn Go, ASP Treasurer |
One of the participants said, “I have actually heard PECS during my college days. I am now able to understand how long PECS should be implemented in order for the “effects” to be observed. It is also now clear to me how is it implemented.” Another said, “PECS methods is very effective specially for teaching non-verbal autistic students.”
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| Participants of the seminar ---------- |
The afternoon’s Family Journey with Autism Forum followed with the following speakers: Dr. Nida Valeriano, Doctor of Education and Faculty Member of Our Lady of Fatima University Graduate School,discussed her thesis study that focused on the experiences of families of adolescent persons with autism. The primary research method employed is phenomenological inquiry. She used interview, storytelling technique and focused group discussion to gather data.
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| (from left) Dr. Nida Valeriano, Ms. My Sorongon and Ms. Melanie Arceo |
Ms. My Sorongon, Special Educator and ASP’s EDEIP Trainer, and a regular facilitator for ASP’s Siblings Workshops, discussed her study on the importance of the role of siblings in the lives of persons with autism. She focused on the Filipino Siblings of PWAs in different stages, their coping mechanisms and other common concerns.
Ms. Melanie Arceo presented her study entitled Resilience of Filipino Families Raising Children with Autism. She said autism causes family crisis and the family RESILIENCE in worst of times, can also bring out the best in them.
To quote John Nelson (father of a CWA) from the book Voices from the Spectrum. “The truth is autism is a curse that forges a tempest of challenges for your child, steals a mountain of resources from your family and drains a torrent of emotional blood from your soul; the truth is, autism is a blessing that prevents you from ever taking your child’s laugh, embrace or verbalization for granted.”
The lectures were followed by a Family Forum with the following panelists: Mrs. Elizabeth Udquin, (President of UP CAMP Manila Chapter) representing mothers; Mr. Evert Malapad, (President Metro-South Chapter, also Auditor of ASP National) for fathers; and Kaye Mendiola and Amaris Cabason for siblings.
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| The Panelist |
Autism Society Philippines’ back-to-back Seminars on August 27 feature occupational therapist Thea Sheila Ocheda-Alonto on Applying Ergonomics to Children with Special Needs; and Karen Navarro also an occupational therapist on Developing Recreational Activities for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs. The August 20 Family Support Group will be facilitated by ASP’s Board Auditor and ASP’s Metro South Chapter President Mr. Evert Malapad For more details log on to autismsocietyphilippines.blogspot.com.
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.
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