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| Ms. Mona Veluz |
Our family's journey with autism began a little less than twenty years ago, with my eldest son, Carl. Back then, the only thing on our minds were getting the right therapy, finding a suitable school and helping him adjust to everyday life. As our son matured, my husband and I were made aware of more challenging questions. We were no longer looking at just the confines of our small orbit. We had to look at how our son can deal with the rigors adults face everyday and at how our son can find his place in a society, compassionate and accepting of him and his unique needs.
The theme of the 13th Philippine National Autism Conference -- "Hope for "A" Nation" -- resonates with me. It echoes my own belief that the autism community should bring our concerns and issues outside our home, schools and communities; and escalate them to the government, the church, the media, the business sector and other societal institutions which can be active agents of change towards the integration and acceptance of individuals with autism in Philippines society.
The Autism Society Philippines -- its leadership and volunteers -- designed the conference to bring respected experts from the Philippines, the United States and the ASEAN to talk about what many in our community clamor to know about -- the latest developments in education, law, media and employment and new insights in medicine, pharmacology and therapy.
But more important still, to the growing community of parents, family members and individuals on the autism spectrum, I hope that experiencing this year's conference will bring you HOPE.
In the service of the Filipino autism community,
MONA MAGNO-VELUZ
Conference Chair
Philippine National Autism Conference
Posted in: nac
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