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| Freedom Walk Poster |
What: Freedom Walk of person with disabilities
Where: Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City
When: 29 June 2013, Sunday. Registration starts at 5:30 am. Walk starts at 7:00 am sharp.
Building Local Chapters
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) has grown from the 11 mothers who bonded together for the causes of their children in 1989 to nearly 13,000 members, with 97 chapters all over the country.
Leading in Autism Advocacy
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) increases public awareness about challenges faced by Filipinos on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services, and providing the latest information regarding intervention, education, and advocacy. It is comprised of persons with autism, families, teachers, and educators whose lives have been touched by autism.
Speaking in Unison
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) reaches out to the many communities across the islands to organize and help make available services and support to persons with autism and their families, in close coordination with government agencies, local government units, and community builders. Our chapters remain to be driving force behind the organization's meteoric growth.
27 June 2013
See you at the Freedom Walk on June 29
What: Freedom Walk of person with disabilities
Where: Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City
When: 29 June 2013, Sunday. Registration starts at 5:30 am. Walk starts at 7:00 am sharp.
19 June 2013
New law mandates hiring of PWDs
President Aquino signed into law Republic Act 10524 (An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability) last month, which amended the 1992 Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. The edict makes it mandatory for government agencies and government-owned corporations to reserve one percent of their workforce for disabled persons.
Section 5 of the Magna Carta state that “No persons with disability shall be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment;" and that “a qualified employee with disability shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives or allowances as a qualified able bodied person.”
The new law also encourages private companies with more than 100 employees to hire disabled persons and set aside at least one percent of their workforce for them.
The Department of Labor, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfard and Development, National Council on Disability Affairs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Governance Commission for government-owned or government-controlled corporations have been instructed by the President to formulate the implementing rules and regulations.
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| Pres. Aquino signed RA 10524 on 12 May 2013. |
Section 5 of the Magna Carta state that “No persons with disability shall be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment;" and that “a qualified employee with disability shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives or allowances as a qualified able bodied person.”
18 June 2013
Autistic Pride Day
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| via ASAN Ohio |
Autistic pride asserts that autistic people have a unique set of characteristics that provide them many rewards and challenges. Although autism is an expression of neurodiversity, some people promoting Autistic pride believe that some of the difficulties that they experience are as the result of societal issues. For instance, campaigns to gain funding for autism related organizations promote feelings of pity. Researchers and people with high-functioning autism have contributed to a shift in attitudes away from the notion that autism is a deviation from the norm that must be treated or cured, and towards the view that autism is a difference rather than a disability.The movement has gained support from many self-advocates all over the world. Themes from previous celebrations include "Acceptance, not cure," "Celebrate Neurodiversity," "Autistics Speak. It's time to listen," "Perspectives, not fear" and "Recognize, Respect, Include." The movement also pushes for the involvement and consultation of self-advocates in matters related to autism policy -- "Nothing about us, without us," as they say.
Posted in: international
17 June 2013
Autism Apps
By Dang U. Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus
About ten years ago, I was seriously considering buying an alternative and augmentative communication device for my son Gio. The price was equivalent to that of a second-hand car at that time, and one had to purchase such device from the US.
Now, all it takes is one touch… on your tablet… to download, most for free or for a reasonable price, autism apps that parents and therapists consider as powerful tools to reach persons with autism. Dr. Andy Shih of Autism Speaks noted that “the range of these apps has expanded well beyond the initial focus of helping people with autism communicate and improve social skills to learning about emotions and delivering basic educational lessons in a format that’s better suited to autistic learners.”
Angels talk surveyed several Filipino therapists which among these autism apps they find most useful for most of their students/patients.
Mae Catherine S. Sadicon, veteran Speech Pathologist, SPEECH Clinic and St. Luke’s Medical Center - Neurodevelopmental Center, Quezon City:
"Proloquo2Go is a communication tool most effective for children who are nonverbal or those who have minimal utterances; it captured the essence of Alternative Augmentative Communication. It is flexible for the interventionists to create personalized files specific to the child’s needs. It also facilitates improvements in in the child’s receptive and expressive vocabularies, lengthening of utterances, etcetera.
"I use the Social Express for my students who are in the high-functioning range or those with better language processing and verbal proficiency. The videos and characters are interesting. The situations they included in the app mirror the common difficulties that these children manifest and encounter.
"I also use Choice Board Creator for those who are nonverbal or with minimal verbal output. It can be used as a “bridging” tool when transitioning the child from PECS to Proloquo2Go. The user is given leeway to create picture options for the child to use. Steps in creating folders are as easy as pie... even for non-techie like me."
Anthony S. Grecia, Occupational Therapist and Program Director of GOALS (Kalookan, Alabang and BGC):
"For pretend play: Any apps by Toca Boca (a game development studio focused on child-friendly apps), such as Toca Kitchen that allows my students to interact by choosing how to prepare food. Also My Play Home - children using this app could learn the basics of everyday routines.
"For fine motor skills: Touch and Write is a fun way of learning letters by writing with shaving cream, jello, finger paint, and more. You can individualize it with your own list of names and words.
"For structuring/scheduling: First Then Visual Schedule helps kids with autism understand what is currently going on and what will be going on in their lives, which makes them feel more comfortable. This app allows you to create your own visual electronic schedules complete with text, voice, and pic
ture.
"For communication: Proloquo2go."
Kimberly Geronimo, Speech and Language Pathologist, Primary Skills Foundation:
"The Bag Game is for all age groups and to be played with others. It encourages language processing skills including asking questions.
"Between the lines, for teens and adults, works on reading social cues, such as vocal intonation, facial expressions, body language and idioms/slangs.
"Language Empires work not only on language and communication but also on problem solving skills: how which and why questions, predictions, sequencing, etc. Ideal for 8-12 year olds."
Jenette Ethel N. Vizcocho, Speech Therapist, Therapy Works, Inc. and Skill Builders:
"Bookabi let my students create their own photo stories with a wide selection of characters, backgrounds and objects that they can place, resize and rotate with the swipe of a finger.
"AutisMate is a combination of scheduler and how-to’s for activities of daily living; it can be personalized and helps the child transitions from one developmental stage to the next.
"iCommunicate is visual scheduler with auditory recordings. It also lets you customize storyboards, communication boards, choice boards, flash cards, and speech cards. Aside from using own pictures, users can record their own audio for boards."
Cheene L. Manalo, Sped Teacher, Independent Living and Learning Center in Davao:
"ABA Receptive Identification teaches children to identify objects following Applied Behavior Analysis teaching principles.
"Making Sequences customizes picture sequences using activities from your student’s daily routines.
"Pictello allows me and my students to create multimedia social stories, complete with photos and sounds."
Also cited Proloquo2Go and First Then Visual Scheduler.
Dax Conde, Speech Therapist, ILLC, Mandaluyong City:
"Pepi Bath is a role-play game where children learn about hygiene in a fun way.
"Model Me Going Places is a great visual teaching tool for helping your child learn to navigate challenging locations in the community.
"Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally is fun while learning. Kids participate directly in the storyline by completing various activities."
All our angel talkers this week agreed that there are many other apps that can be used regardless of where the child lies in the Autism Spectrum, but they should be used in moderation. As Teacher Mae Sadicon said, “I make it a point that the child gets exposed to other activities and techniques as well. I think it is equally important, even more so, to advocate for hands-on interaction with the child. This is the best APP by far :)
ASP holds back-to-back seminars on Vision Therapy by Dr. Teresita Yambot and Music Therapy by Teacher Yankee on June 29 at the Bridges Foundation School in Quezon City. The Family Support Group meeting on June 22 will be facilitated by Dad Evert Malapad. Follow Autism Society Philippines on its blogspot, Facebook and Twitter.
This article appeared in print and online by Manila Bulletin on 17 June 2013.
"Proloquo2Go is a communication tool most effective for children who are nonverbal or those who have minimal utterances; it captured the essence of Alternative Augmentative Communication. It is flexible for the interventionists to create personalized files specific to the child’s needs. It also facilitates improvements in in the child’s receptive and expressive vocabularies, lengthening of utterances, etcetera.ture.
"The Bag Game is for all age groups and to be played with others. It encourages language processing skills including asking questions.
"Bookabi let my students create their own photo stories with a wide selection of characters, backgrounds and objects that they can place, resize and rotate with the swipe of a finger.
15 June 2013
City of San Fernando Family Support Group
Join the Family Support Group meeting, hosted by the City of San Fernando, Pampanga Chapter of the Autism Society Philippines. Details follow:
Date: July 6 Saturday 1pm to 4pm
Venue: Sindalan Community Learning Resource Center, Brgy. Sindalan Cmpd,City San Fernando Pampanga.
Reservation: 0922.854.3574
The FSG facilitator is Ms. Joy Ofrecia, a mother of a 13 year old boy with autism. She has been a hands-on mother and for more than 10 years been implementing home intervention programs along with other school/center-based interventions for her own son and other children with autism. She has earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Angeles University Foundation. She conducts orientations and trainings to parents and professionals on autism. She is the current president of the Autism Society Philippines City of San Fernando Chapter. She has been actively involved in ASP’s projects, a project coordinator for Pampanga on “Educating Children with Disabilities of their Rights Using the Digital Talking Books.” Teacher Joy finds her fulfilment in her role as an advocate of autism and an instrument to empowering parents of children with special needs.
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| Ms. Joyla Ofrecia |
14 June 2013
DanceAbility: Now Everybody’s Dancing
by Gerard Joseph Atienza, Secretary ASP Bacoor Chapter
I’m not really a dancer, but being privileged to be part of Autism Society Philippines’ (ASP) contingent in the DanceAbility Introductory and Teacher Orientation Workshops, held on 14-18 May 2013 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), made me fully appreciate the beauty and art of dance, particularly one that is inclusive of everybody.
The DanceAbility seminars were part a project of the United States Department of State, the US Embassy in Manila, the CCP, and DanceAbility International, an organization promoting inclusive and accessible dance for all people, with and without disabilities.
I, along with Teacher Ana of SpedDance Movement Therapy Services, Teacher Gina of ASP Laguna Chapter, and my fellow Thara, were among the workshops’ participants, who came from different regions in the Philippines. The participants ranged from teachers to dancers, and some of the dancers themselves have disabilities, specifically the Dancesport of TahanangWalangHagdanan, who had performed in Pilipinas Got Talent.
Heading the workshops were Alito Alessi, DanceAbility founder and artistic director, and Karen Daly, DanceAbility teacher. Alito and Karen were chosen as Art Envoys of the State Department to share the culture of America to the world through dance. They have been doing the seminars as part of their missions in Indonesia, Mongolia, and here in the Philippines.
During the workshops, Alito introduced us to the concepts of dance improvisation, specially crafted throughout the years to include people with and without disabilities. Karen, who is a wheelchair user herself, joined us and helped facilitate the activities as we practiced the concepts of inclusive dance that have been taught to us.
I was amazed at the passion imparted on and exuded by everyone, particularly when we were doing improv dances during the five days we were at CCP. More than that, we were imparted with best practices on working with a diversity of individuals, regardless of what or who they are, whether they have a disability or they haven’t.
As the end of the workshops neared, Alito and Karen challenged us to share what we have learned during those five days with our students, our fellows, and everyone in the community. After all, as what they have said, they have come to share their techniques to everyone, and as such, we have to do our part.
Again, I’m no dancer. But now everybody’s going to be dancing.
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| PWAs Gerard and Thara with artistic director and teacher |
13 June 2013
“A” Different Summer for Sibs
Summer means several things for people. For many, it is the time to plunge into adventure and/ or discover new sights. For others, it is the time to forge ties with people from other places or cultures. For some, it is the time to hone one’s hidden talents. For a handful, it is the time to simply laze around. But for a chosen few, it is “A” time to do something different.
For siblings of persons with autism (PWA), summer offers a chance for them to understand their brother or sister with “A”utism, to see their family situation in a different perspective, and more than anything else, to accept and appreciate the uniqueness of their role as siblings of PWA.
Different ASP chapters have been organizing Siblings Camp Philippines or SibsCamP as part of the siblings support program for five summers already. Siblings age 9 till 20+ years old flock to private resorts or scenic places surrounded by nature to bond, enjoy, listen, support and encourage each other as they share their life’s journey into the world of their brother, sister and even cousin with autism. The overnight annual summer event highlights the desire of ASP to reach out to the other “overlooked” or “put aside” family members who are also affected as much as their parents once a diagnosis of autism is made in the family.
Summer 2013 witnessed the SibsCamP conducted by ASP Diliman Chapter and ASP Laguna Chapter last March 23 and May 17 respectively. Bringing only their backpacks (parents were strictly instructed to stay at home), the Diliman sibs trekked to the hilly Phillip’s Sanctuary in Rizal while the Laguna sibs headed to the homey Maspeth Resort in Los Baños. The camp was filled with games, group and individual activities, mini-lectures on “A”utism, and countless sharing which led to sleeping in the wee hours of the morning. It was heart warming to see siblings of all ages building new friendships as a way of continuing their support for each other especially when they go back to their respective homes and realities. It was also a welcome sight to see more adult siblings (college and working group) gaining interest in joining the sibscamp. A handful of them expressed the need to be enlightened with their situation. But the encouraging situation was seeing siblings, who were former sibscampers, facilitating the event. Their life-long experiences in coping as sibs of PWA and as former campers contributed to their decision to be of service to co-siblings.
Summer indeed means several things to different people. But for siblings of PWA, summer means HOPE as they open their lives, and share their wishes and dreams with other siblings at SibsCamP!
12 June 2013
Seminar-Workshop on Behavior Management
The Seminar- Workshop on Behavior Management: Managing Challenging Behaviors of Children with Special Needs in the Home Setting aims to equip the participants with theories on behavior, step by step procedure in behavior management and modification strategies. It is designed to help parents, guardians and caregivers of children with special needs address challenging behaviors in the home setting (also applicable in other situations/settings). Participants will be able to apply theories discussed in the lecture on their own experiences with their child during the workshop. At the end of the day, participants are expected to be bringing home an initial behavior modification plan for their child.
Ms. Joy Ofrecia is a mother of a 13 year old boy with autism. She has been a hands-on mother and for more than 10 years been implementing home intervention programs along with other school/center-based interventions for her own son and other children with autism. She has earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Angeles University Foundation. She conducts orientations and trainings to parents and professionals on autism. She is the current president of the Autism Society Philippines City of San Fernando Chapter. She has been actively involved in ASP’s projects, a project coordinator for Pampanga on “Educating Children with Disabilities of their Rights Using the Digital Talking Books.” Teacher Joy finds her fulfilment in her role as an advocate of autism and an instrument to empowering parents of children with special needs.
Date: June 22 Saturday
Time: 9am to 4pm
Venue: Sindalan Community Learning Resource Center, Brgy. Sindalan Cmpd., City of San Fernando Pampanga.
The Seminar Fee is inclusive of certificate, handouts, am/pm snacks and lunch
Registration Fee
Pre-registration *Until June 18
ASP Member - P500.00
Non-ASP Member - P650.00
On-site Registration
ASP Member - P600.00
Non-ASP Member - P750.00
*Pre-Registration is advised. Limited slots are available. For more details, please call 0922-854-3574.
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| Ms. Joyla Ofrecia |
Time: 9am to 4pm
Venue: Sindalan Community Learning Resource Center, Brgy. Sindalan Cmpd., City of San Fernando Pampanga.
ASP Member - P500.00
Non-ASP Member - P650.00
ASP Member - P600.00
Non-ASP Member - P750.00
ASP visits project partners in Davao and Iloilo
The Independent Living Learning Center (ILLC), Davao City and the Kid’s Nook Integrated School (KNIS), Iloilo City were visited by ASP Executive Director Ranil Sorongon in May 2013. These institutions are among the 28 partners in the implementation of the "Educating Children with Disabilities of their Rights Using the Digital Talking Books", funded by Australian Aid.
Director Sorongon personally met with Ms. Luche Lamela and Ms. Cheene Manalo, the teachers of the learning sessions of ILLC to get their observations, feedbacks and recommendations on how to improve the different aspects of the project. There were 11 CWDs who joined the project from ILLC.
A day after Davao, Director Sorongon proceeded to Iloilo City to meet with the couple Harold and Teena Derequito. Harold was the project coordinator and Teena is the school head of KNIS. The couple was so happy that their school was among the few that were chosen to become partners and they had 17 students who join the project. They were the one who first finished the learning sessions and has submitted the video documentation of the sessions. The video depicted the enthusiasm and happiness of the children during the sessions.
After the luncheon meeting, the couple brought Director Sorongon to the Breaking Barriers for Children and Youth Project (BBCY) of Iloilo City. The group was very fortunate to meet with Ms. Bless Mabilog, the project head, and the beneficiaries who were celebrating their anniversary. BBCY signified their interest to join the ASP's children rights project.
As an expression of gratitude and appreciation, Director Sorongon gave the certificate of recognition to the teachers who facilitated the learning sessions and to the two institutions as project partners. He also handed a free copy of a DVD containing the learning stories and the teacher’s manual to the said schools. It will be used to teach new students with and with disabilities of their rights even after the project ended.
"The project may have ended on May 31; but the initial seeds planted by the project will continue to grow and will bear fruits." -- Ranilo Sorongon
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| Mr. Ranilo Sorongon meeting with ILLC teachers |
Director Sorongon personally met with Ms. Luche Lamela and Ms. Cheene Manalo, the teachers of the learning sessions of ILLC to get their observations, feedbacks and recommendations on how to improve the different aspects of the project. There were 11 CWDs who joined the project from ILLC.
11 June 2013
The ASP Angel Corps
An institution like the Autism Society Philippine is powered by the strength and talent of its volunteers. We have a proud history of developing volunteerism among our members and fellow advocates.
In anticipation of our 25th year, ASP has decided to revamp its volunteer management program and create a best-in-class model that will help optimize the society's operations by developing a nimble, passionate, professional pool of resources.
The ASP Angel Corps is the volunteer arm of the Autism Society Philippines. It is composed of civic-minded individuals who are sharing their time and talent towards creating a society where Filipinos with autism become the best of their potentials -- independent, self-reliant, productive and socially-accepted members of the community. Volunteers may be ASP members and non-members.
Visit the ASP Angel Corps on Facebook! ASP Leaders from all over the country are consolidating requests for assistance (which are called "missions") on this FB page. Volunteers have the option to sign up of "missions" which they want or can do. Each engagement is time-bound. Tasks can vary from event staffing to writing articles. Many individuals from all over the Philippines and other countries have already lent their valuable time and talent.
If you haven't yet, please drop by and see if anything strikes your fancy: http://www.facebook.com/
10 June 2013
Senate acts to curb bullying in schools
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| Stop Bullying Now Sign |
08 June 2013
June 29 Saturday Back to Back Seminars
Vision Therapy
29 June 2013, Saturday, 9:00 am - 12:00 nn
Bridges Foundation, Inc. #22 Scout Limbaga Street, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City
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| Dr. Teresita Yambot |
Music Therapy
29 June 2013, Saturday, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Bridges Foundation, Inc. #22 Scout Limbaga Street, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City
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| Agustin Estrella |
Single Seminar ASP Member - P 500.00
Single Seminar Non-Member - P 600.00
Double Seminar ASP Member - P800.00
Double Seminar Non-Member - P1,000.00
Single Seminar ASP Member - P600.00
Single Seminar Non - Member - P700.00
Double Seminar ASP Member - P1,000.00
Double Seminar Non-Member - P1,200.00
07 June 2013
ASP Naga City Chapter Family Support Group
Autism Society Philippines Naga City chapter will be having a Family Support Group Meeting tentatively scheduled on the last week of June or the first week of July. The chapter will also give a tribute to Ms. Balmaceda, former chapter president who recently joined our Creator due to cancer.
Interested participants may contact Teacher Mildred Briguera-Serra, OTRP-ASP Naga Secretary at 0907-137-1809.
Posted in: fsg
06 June 2013
Nick Vujicic Live at SM Mall of Asia
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can live productive lives and can be inspirations to those with and without disabilities. Nick Vujicic, a Serbian Australian evangelist and motivational speaker, is one of those unique individuals. Nick was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs.
More than a thousand Filipinos with disabilities, PWD leaders, parents of children with disabilities, services providers and other supporters of the disability sector were given an opportunity see and hear Nick’s testimony of his journey as a person with disability -- how he transcended his disability and focus on his ability to become a writer of two best selling books, and an inspirational speaker visiting countries around the world to bring a message of hope and acceptance of all people.
“You may be surprised that it’s not the government who first supported me. It was a non-government organization in Australia who helped me,” Nick shared with a smile on his face. Nick also acknowledged the vital role of parents and service providers in the lives of PWDs.
Autism Society Philippines was represented by more than 100 contingents coming from the National Office and from its chapters. The delegates wearing green shirts were headed by no less than its President Ms. Mary Janette Peña, immediate past President Grace Adviento and Executive Director Ranil Sorongon.
ASP thanks the efforts of the SM Cares Programs on Disability Affairs headed by Engr. Bien Mateo -- whose purposeful leadership made event last 20 May 2013 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia possible.
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| Participants listening to Nick Vujicic's testimony |
05 June 2013
An Art Festival for Peace
“Having a disability... is not a hindrance to do good, to serve these children and to be an instrument of peace” -Baldwin Kho
The Third Kapayapaan International Children’s Art Festival opened on 29 May 2013 at the Kaisa Heritage Center, Intramuros, Manila, with Teacher Baldwin as the opening speaker. The event also marked the 20th year of Teacher Baldwin as an art teacher, peace advocate and mentor to both children with and without disabilities.
The festival started in 2009 aims to promote world peace through visual arts. It gathered art pieces made by children from the Philippines and around the world. The pieces which conveyed messages of peace are exhibited for several days at the KAISA center for the public viewing.
Ms. Mary Janette Peña, ASP president, Mr. Rachy Cuna, visual artist and floral architect of the Philippines, Ms. Nina Yuson, president of Museo Pambata and Ms. Teresita Ang. See were among the guests of honor. Ms. Evelyn Go, ASP Treasurer and Executive Director Ranil Sorongon were also in attendance.
Teacher Baldwin has been a regular benefactor of Autism Society Philippines. He donated some of his paintings to ASP to raise funds. He joins the annual Angels Walk for Autism and also serves as a judge for the annual on-the-spot painting art contest during National Autism Consciousness Week.
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| From L-R: PWA Muneer Peña, ASP National President Ms. Janette Peña, Tacher Baldwin Kho, Thea and Mili Peña and National Treasurer Ms. Evelyn Go |
04 June 2013
ASP's "1Pangako” goes International
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| ASEAN People seen in a slide show |
The Second ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress was recently held at the Rizqun International Hotel, Abdul Razak Complex, Brunei Darussalam last April 27-29 this year with the theme “Towards Autism-Friendly ASEAN Community”. The organization was established to serve as an effective forum that can work at the national and sub-regional levels to advocate the rights of person with autism.
03 June 2013
‘A’ is for autism and achievers
By: Dang U. Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus
This week’s Angel Talker is Angelica Gabrielle Navarro, student, sibling and Art editor of the Varsitarian, UST’s official campus publication. This piece represents not just an account of a family’s journey, but also the burgeoning awareness and concern of the national phenomenon that is autism on today’s youth.
Albert Einstein said, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”
My brother Luke was born healthy and perfect, and as he was growing up, it seemed that something was wrong with him. But the first thing my parents noticed was his speech delay. At the age of two, he would not speak and communicate in a non-verbal way. He was even incapable of eye contact. His gestures include a lot of hand flapping and head banging. Whenever Luke sees a man wearing eyeglasses, he would run to him and demand to be carried (this may root from the absence of my father who was working overseas at that time). In short, he lived in his own little world.
My parents decided to consult a specialist regarding my brother’s condition. Luke was diagnosed with a clinical impression of pervasive developmental disorder, otherwise known as autism. It was very hard for them, especially my mother who received the results alone because my father was abroad.
An intervention had to be made. The specialist referred my mother to a child psychiatrist who recommended a special school for my brother. Initially, she thought getting in was hard since the school was small and had limited facilities. But luckily, Luke was accommodated. After a few sessions, he showed great improvements, as he started to respond and socialize a bit.
After five years, Luke was brought back for another consultation. This time, the diagnosis showed he had slightly improved in social interaction. But he still exhibited characteristics of autistic spectrum disorder.
It was around this time that we had to move to a new home and my father was unemployed; he had given up his job to be with us, and to provide moral support for Luke.
Fortunately, there was a special education (Sped) school near the neighborhood. Here, Luke started to gain academic excellence. But then, the facilities were not enough so my parents transferred him to another Sped school which offered more services suited to his condition. True enough, his progress was so great that he was recommended to enter a regular school.
It was a big and intimidating step that had to be taken for his benefit. He was accommodated in a regular school and was treated like a normal student. He complied with his academics and even had extra-curricular activities such as taekwondo, pageant contests and speech choirs. But the best part was that he learned to become independent.
Inevitably, there were people who were unaware of his condition, and bullied him. But Luke fought back. He was able to survive high school and eventually graduated last April 5.
Luke’s next big step is to enter college. But after taking a psycho-educational evaluation, a Sped diagnostician said that he is not capable to enter college, and will find it difficult to get a degree. But this did not discourage my parents in finding ways for him to get one. Fortunately, there is a school which caters to students like him and gives a special program that provides them a chance to experience college.
This just proves that having a special child doesn’t mean you have to restrict his capabilities with what his condition dictates. It’s just a matter of support, early intervention and the right push.
I see a lot of kids (or sometimes adults) who have special needs like my brother and I can’t help but think of their future — whether they have a direction in life or they would be stuck in their condition and just depend on their families or caretakers.
The government claims to prioritize the education sector and yet the situation of special children is not really addressed. Yes, there are a lot of Sped schools and trained teachers in the country but their services are limited for those who can afford the high expenses. After K-12, I think it’s time to create a program that will cater to the less fortunate ones. Parents should also band together to raise public awareness about special children and their needs.
Special children are not special because of their disabilities. They are special because they are meant to achieve great things despite their limitations.
(Join the growing community of PWAs, professionals, parents and family members like Angelica who are seeking answers to Philippine society’s challenges for people with autism. We hope to see you at the 13th Philippine National Autism Conference, dubbed “Hope for ‘A’ Nation”, Oct. 26-27, 2013 at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall.)
This article appeared in print and online by Manila Bulletin on 03 June 2013.
*****
Albert Einstein said, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”
Posted in: angels-talk
