By Tiffany Tan, ASP Correspondent.
With the aims of supporting parents and family members of children with autism, ASP welcomes our newly elected board member, Ms. Beth Udquin to facilitate the Family Support Group last Saturday, 23 June 2012 at ASP National Office, Quezon City. The FSG was attended by fathers and mothers of individuals on the spectrum, and supported by ASP National President, Jan Peña and this author.
 |
| Group photo of the June 23 FSG facilitated by Mom Beth Udquin (seated 3rd from right) |
The Udquin family was the subject of UNTV’s Istoria last January, which short documentary on autism. Beth who serves as the President of ASP UP CAMP Chapter, was also one of the guest panelists in "The Family’s Journey" panel discussion in ASP’s 12th National and 2nd Southeast Asian Conference on Autism last April 2012.
According to Beth, working with the marginalized sector of families dealing with autism in the Tondo area has taught her to be creative. With her background in clinical psychology, and by attending numerous ASP Seminars; she has become empowered in helping her two young sons, who were both diagnosed with autism.
She said lack of resources should not be a hindrance to seek for help and support. Because of her sons, she scouted around hospitals and centers for affordable therapy services around Manila. Currently, her sons are receiving therapy at UP CAMP Manila, with an affordable P50 fee for an hour’s session. Her sons are also enrolled in P. Burgos Elementary School, a public school located in Manila that caters to children with autism and other disabilities.
She urged the parents present to be “ma-usi,” a colloquial term meaning to be inquisitive. It is not enough for parents to sit back and let professionals do therapy work; but rather be a good observer, ask questions, and have consistent follow through at home. She also said children with autism thrive in a structured schedule and environment, and gave some practical examples and suggestions for the parents to follow.
Beth also believes that parents need to be educated and equipped in handling their own children with autism. She diligently documents reports and handouts from seminars, and chart their children’s progress through the collected data. She hopes that through this process, other parents may also adapt the same principle for their own children’s benefit.
Living with Autism on A Budget, Beth’s story, has inspired many parents, both locally and internationally. One parent from the US wrote ASP that he was “ashamed” to complain about the government’s cuts in welfare support for their children after reading their story.
The Udquins have not only empowered themselves, but also their two sons to be pro-active in the boys' small mobile sari-sari store business; while teaching entrepreneurial, speech and occupational therapy and life skills. The Udquins have also turned part of their home into a mini-therapy center for her sons. They hope to expand their home based therapy center to extend help to their community.
***
ASP continues to work hard to equip other parents in their autism journey.
Sign up on-line for the next Family Support Group or
contact our office for details.
Do your share in bringing programs which empower families and educators to help the autism sector.
Donate to ASP.
Posted in: fsg
0 comments:
Post a Comment