ASP Family Support Group for August 2017

ASPs monthly family support group sessions bring together parents, siblings and other family members to talk about their journey in living with autism. Participants share their experiences and draw enlightenment and strength from others going through the same challenges. We welcome members and non-members to this intimate gathering. New ASP members are encouraged to join.

Ms. Carmel Almendrala with son Mike

Our facilitator for this month is Autism Society Philippines National Trustee Carmel Almendrala. A former ambassador’s wife and an Ulirang Ina Awardee of 2010, Carmel personifies diplomacy as she faces the world with poise, grace and intelligence. Over the years and in the many countries where their family has had to relocate because of her husband's work, she laboured tirelessly to advocate for her son Michael, now in his 40’s. Serving as Trustee for more than seven terms, she reminds young mothers of children with autism: Grab every opportunity and don’t take no for an answer. This is evident in her son Mike, who is a Special Olympian Medalist (who competed in 2005 in power lifting and in 2013 in bowling), a 2005 Apolinario Mabini Awardee, and an independent member of the community working as an administrative staff of the Philippine Information Agency.

ASP Family Support Group

19 August 2017, Saturday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Autism Society Philippines National Headquarters

#9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentabella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Kamuning, Quezon City

Map: http://bit.ly/asp-map2

Sign up for the Family Support Group via the on-line form below or call 7-903-5496. Only 15 seats are available.

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Posted in: 4parents,fsg

ASP Chair shares principles of structured teaching

ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe welcomed parents and teachers who attended the seminar entitled Autism Friendly Learning Environment held at the Autism Society Philippines National Headquarters last 29 July 2017.

Participants of the seminar with the speaker Ms. Dang Koe

Mama Dang, as she is fondly called, acknowledged the principles in her presentation are based mostly on the work of Dr. Eric Shopler who developed the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-handicapped Children (TEACCH) Program or Structured Teaching (ST). The examples she showed were actual applications of ST principles in teaching Gio, her eldest son with autism, at home and in different settings.
She stressed that Structured Teaching is a framework for teaching and is not a curriculum i.e. it shows how to teach, not what to teach. The structure that is provided is like a prosthetic device which in itself is a form of behavior management, is individualized, and can be faded as the child learns to be independent. She showed how ST’s four main components use the relative strengths (e.g. strong visual perceptual skills and rote memory) and special interests of persons with autism (PWAs), to minimize their learning difficulties.

Because some PWAs may be prone to disorganization, cognitive-perceptual difficulties, attention deficit, poor verbal understanding and expression, etc., organizing their physical space, schedules, work systems and tasks, helps them to focus, reduces their anxiety, learn more easily and helps them become more independent.

Physical Space - Through the practical and actual examples in homes and different schools, Mama Dang showed that by arranging furniture, using shelves, rugs, tape on the floor, etc., one can define the purpose and boundaries of each activity space. By providing containers and labels, clutter is reduced and the child is more able to focus and he learns there is an appropriate place for every activity.

Schedule - Giving the child a visual schedule gives him a sense of predictability and teaching him to follow a visual schedule develops flexibility. It also teaches the child the concept of “first-next”, and “finished.” Mama Dang showed the evolution of Gio’s schedule boards, both general schedules and task specific schedules (or task charts), as he grew and as his activities changed. She stressed that schedules need to be individualized both in form and content, depending on the child’s level of functioning.

Work System - By identifying a process or protocol, i.e. always starting from top to bottom, left to right, the child gains independence in doing tasks.

Task Structure - Improving the manner materials used in a task are organized, the child can see what he needs to do with much less instruction. Visual instructions are a big help in communicating to the child the sequence of steps for the task or activity he must do.

As a finale, Mama Dang shared a short video of Gio, how he learned to do tasks independently through the years, a testament to how structured teaching helped him become as independent as he can be.

“The subject is relevant and applicable for parents and teachers.”

“Presentation was well prepared.”

“Very relevant to what I am supposed to do to my child as of his stage now.”

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Posted in: 4parents,4pro,seminar,structure,teaching

ASP PweDay for the month of August and September

I think it's more important to be fit so that you can be healthy and enjoy activities than it is to have a good body. Rachel Blanchard

The Autism Society Philippines Wednesday "PweDay" aims to provide enrichment for teens and adults on the autism spectrum who are not currently enrolled in schools. ASP PweDays will offer opportunities to learn new skills, to socialize with non-family members and to have fun. This will be every Wednesday, from 2pm to 4pm at ASP Headquarters. This is open to all Persons on the autism spectrum members, 16 years old and above.

Our Pweymates during the MixxedFit Dance Fitness

On August 2 - Join our MixxedFit Dance with Certified Mixxedfit Instructor Miss Donna Lim as she will lead this innovative dance-fitness. We dance to today’s hits and yesterday’s favorites with repetitive and easy to follow dance steps. Attendees will wear comfortable workout clothes, such as leggings, workout pants, or shorts, wear appropriate footwear, do NOT wear sandals, flip flops, ballet shoes, hiking boots, or running shoes and bring water and towel.

On August 9 - we will have Acrylic Painting in a Canvas with Teacher Ann Vitug - Acrylic paints are known to be more flexible than other types of paints. This means that as the canvas or siding expands and contracts due to temperature changes, the paint will stretch and compress rather than crack. In this activity,this will help people with autism to develop their social skills, to enhance their verbal communication and can address Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). This session will enhance the creativity of our Persons on the autism spectrum and develop their natural artistic abilities. Persons on the autism spectrum will just bring their own paint brushes, acrylic paints and extra shirt.

On August 16 - we will have a Sensory Friendly Movie. This will allow bringing up the lights, turning down sound volume, allowing families/Persons on the autism spectrum to bring in their own snacks. They can get up, dance, walk, shout, sing, go in and out of the room. This will provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for our special audience.

On August 23 - we will have Mandala Plate Painting by Amos Manlangit - Mandala/Craft Artist Amos Manlangit will help participants make a special mandala on a ceramic plate using personalized pictographs and symbols. Because mandalas require attentive focus and calmness to create and color, mandalas can help to cultivate mindfulness, self-awareness, and stress relief. This session will also enhance the creativity of the Persons on the autism spectrum and develop their natural artistic abilities.

On August 30 - there will be a session on Coloring - A simple activity that helps to improves motor skills, stimulates creativity, color awareness, improve focus, self esteem and others among our Persons on the autism spectrum. To them, coloring could be interchanged with various other calming activities.

On September 6 - we will have Terracotta Clay Workshop by Mary Ann Mendoza‐Uy - This activity is a hand‐formed Clay Workshop. Educator and Artist Mary Ann Mendoza will conduct a special workshop in hand formed sculpture using terracotta clay. Discover the creative side of our Persons on the autism spectrum, relax and indulge in a fun and unique experience. This activity will enhance sensory development, motor skills, self-esteem, and self-expression, problem solving skills, discipline, and pride. Clay also has a uniquely therapeutic quality which settle and calm children hence it retains their attention for hours. Please bring your own apron, P150 for the materials and the P50 donation.

On September 13 - we will have a Cooking session - Persons on the autism spectrum will cook Adobo Cheese Sandwich, a simple and surprising but oh-so-satisfying snack. Cooking can be an opportunity to increase independence, learn basic academic skills to use in a functional way. Persons on the autism spectrum who have sensory processing challenges can benefit greatly from the smells, textures and tastes involved with the cooking process. This will teach them on proper food hygiene, simple food preparation, and presentation. Participants must bring their own hair net, apron, and closed shoes (no slippers or sandals please). Prepare a P150 donation when you get on-site.

On September 20 - we will have a Dance for Joy - Join our Dance Instructor Mr. Raphael Panganiban and our very own Ms Donna Lim for a dance session that will set the mood for Christmas merriment! “Joyful, joyful, Lord, we adore Thee... fill us with the light of day!.” Persons on the autism spectrum are endowed with so much energy that seek opportunities for expression. A lack of appropriate outlet of these energies may result to self-stimulation or “stimming,” repetitive movements which may seem odd to other people. Dancing is a stimulating activity that can convert “hyper-energies” into meaningful movements integrated with music, lyrics, verbal instructions and physical prompts.

On September 27 - we will have a Yoga for Relaxation - Teacher Elizabeth Montenegro-Rye will help us to develops motor skills, enhances balance and stability and develops body awareness. Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. It is also improves confidence and social skills, learning self-control and self-calming techniques through yoga, they are likely to grow confidence in interacting with others and refine their social skills. Bring your own mat on this activity.

"Persons on the autism spectrum who are no longer in school end up in the fringes of society." Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP National President shares, "ASP is deeply invested in building a society where a individuals with autism be the best of

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Posted in: 4pwas

Parents discuss budgeting for therapy and defiant behavior in autism

Attendees of the FSG led by Ms. Marivic Ramos

Autism Society Philippines National Trustee Marivic Ramos welcomed participants to a Family Support Group session held in ASP National Headquarters last 22 July 2017. ASP’s monthly family support group sessions bring together parents, siblings and other family members to talk about their journey in living with autism. Participants shared their experiences, articulated their aspirations as parents and drew enlightenment and strength from others going through the same challenges. Ms. Marivic guided them in discussions over the budgeting for therapy, defiant behavior, among others.

“Christer can and will be more than what he is now with the help of us, his family.”

“I’m not alone in this situation. I need to learn more about autism.”

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Posted in: fsg

“Beautiful Pain” shines light on autism acceptance

The film “Beautiful Pain” traces the emotional journey of a family towards acceptance of their son’s autism. The autism advocacy community came out to support the Philippine gala premiere of “Beautiful Pain” at the SM Megamall Cinema 1.

Beautiful Pain Movie Poster

The film, which represented Malaysia at the 89th Academy Awards and the 74th Golden Globe Awards, is a deliberate, tender study of autism and human nature. Director Tunku Mona Riza has been gratified by the response by the global autism community. “This film has become a voice for them,” Mona told journalists at the film’s Oscar screening earlier in the year. The filmmaker researched on autism for more than two years and worked with advocates at the National Autism Society of Malaysia, resulting in the instructional simplicity in the handling of autism as an allied medical subject matter.

“Redha” is a Malay word with no accurate English translation (much like Tagalog’s “utang na loob”) – “joyful surrender to God’s will” comes close. “Filipinos find connections in “kurot-puso” stories,” Mona Magno-Veluz, National President of the Autism Society Philippines. “The film will help the public understand what persons with autism go through. By sharing this film with the mainstream Filipino audience – this synthesis of the experiences of many families who live and love with autism regardless of color, religion or social strata -- ASP hopes to inspire acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism, towards a genuinely autism-inclusive Philippines.” According to ASP, 1 in 100 Filipinos are on the autism spectrum.

The film revolves around Danial, who lives with his parents Alina and Razlan in an island resort in Malaysia, where the early signs of his autism play out. The lead characters’ strained emotional bond is balanced by the kindness of Alina who is accepting of her son’s diagnosis. But Alina is plagued by a misplaced sense of responsibility for Danial’s autism, even ignoring her health in self-reproach. Through her journey, she finds a supportive network of advocates in her college friends, her sister, her husband’s co-workers, her specialists and even a stranger in a gas station. The reluctant Razlan struggles with his son’s condition, resulting in bursts of anger and frustration. He eventually finds inspiration in the perspective of a stranger, a swimming coach, who sees what is amazing in his son, instead of what is missing. Over the span of eight years, the film paints a portrait of awakening, hope and redemption.

The Philippine gala premiere held at the SM Megamall Cinema 1 was attended by 600 viewers, despite it being a rainy, traffic-ridden Tuesday night. Honored guests included Tunku Mona Riza (Director, Beautiful Pain), Haris Sulong (Producer, Current Pictures), Wilson Tieng (President, Solar Entertainment), Engr. Bien Mateo (Program Head, SM Cares), Paul Daza (Former Governor, Northern Samar), Mirana Medina (Filmmaker and Disability Advocate), Waya Araos-Wijangco (Executive Chef, Gourmet Gypsy), Michelle Aventajado (Country Director, Best Buddies), Chelo Banal-Formoso (Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer), Harvey Chua (General Manager, Adphoto), Cherry Concepcion (AVP for HR, SM Savemore), Kimberly Cruz (President, Dohtonbori), Archie David (Executive Director, Project TEACH), Gigi Daza (Founder, Nail Tropics), Francis Dimalanta (Developmental Pediatrician), Rachel Harrison (Founder, Zambawood), Anthony Lozada (President, Bert Lozada Swim School), Wennah Marquez (Chief, Mandaluyong PDAD), Mirana Medina (Film maker), Candy Pangilinan (Film/Television Actress), Kaye Samson (Executice Director, Special Olympics), Rene Sarmiento (Former Commissioner, COMELEC), among other dear friends and supporters. The event was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors: Mossimo, DN Steel Group of Companies, JAC Motors, Ramos Co Logistic, Perlita So, Ardex Motors, Reggie Jolingan and Republic Biscuit Corporation.
A partnership between the Autism Society Philippines, Current Pictures Sdn. Bhd., Solar Pictures, SM Cinema, the ASEAN Autism Network and the National Autism Society of Malaysia, “Beautiful Pain” will be shown in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and SM North EDSA on 19 – 25 July 2017 – in commemoration of the Philippine National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

Partners

The Autism Society Philippines envisions an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive and socially-accepted members of the community. Towards this end, the ASP commits to the establishment of institutional mechanisms to support persons with autism and their families towards a genuinely autism-inclusive Philippines. Learn more about the autism advocacy at http://www.autismsocietyphilippines.org.

Current Pictures Sdn. Bhd. is a leading Malaysian production company involved in the creation of television commercials, television programme and tele-movies and feature films. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/CurrentPicturesSdnBhd/

SM Cinema is the largest film exhibitor in the Philippines with 326 screens in 58 branches nationwide, not to mention IMAX Theatres in SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, North Edsa, Southmall, Lanang, Clark, Cebu and Aura Premier! Learn more at http://www.smcinema.com.

Solar Pictures is the film distribution arm of Solar Entertainment Corporation, a leading broadcast company operating five free-to-air channels and four cable channels. Learn more at http://www.facebook.com/solarpicturesPH.

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Posted in: art,film

Behavior management and sight reading techniques

Managing Behavior through Non-violent Intervention

For the second year in a row, Ms. Thess Aficial, a special education teacher in the US, spent a day of her annual summer break last 01 July 2017 to share with ASP the new on-the-job training that she underwent. Interest in her topic was high as evidenced by the relatively large number of participants who attended.

Two attendees of the seminar
demonstrating some techniques

This year she shared the Non-violent Crisis Behavior Intervention - a program focusing on the safe management of disruptive and assaultive behavior - with ASP participants. Teacher Thess started with showing the 2 kinds of aggressive behavior: Verbal acting out and Physical acting out. She then showed the usual causes and stages of crisis behavior. She explained that crisis behavior starts with fear and anxiety, the child then becomes defensive and then acts out. She stressed that it was important for the interventionist to remain calm, be an empathic listener and get to the cause of the child’s anxiety. Verbal intervention should always be used with verbal acting out and physical intervention should be used only for physical aggression.

She then gave verbal techniques on how to deescalate behaviors at each stage, demonstrating words and tones that could be used to redirect the behavior to a more calm state. She also demonstrated the use of non-verbal behavior techniques such as kinesics (body language, motion, posture), and proxemics (positioning, space) to decrease tension.

However, when the verbal acting out escalates to a physical attack, ensuring the child’s and the professional’s safety should always be the objective of the intervention. T. Thess showed and demonstrated ways of responding to and getting out when the child tries to hit, kick, bite, grab, pull, etc.

She then explained the post-crisis COPING (Control-Orient-Patterns-Investigate-Negotiate- Give) model to be able to prevent or better respond to the individual’s crisis behavior.

Sight Reading Techniques

“Reading is the process of looking at a series of written symbols and getting meaning from them.” Reading is an important means of learning about the world around them. However, persons with autism sometimes find it difficult to learn phonetic reading or to extract meaning from words they are able to read aloud.

Sight reading can become an alternative to phonetic reading. Students who are able to point, say/sign words and understand language, can be taught sight reading and to derive meaning from words. Teacher Thess demonstrated how to teach the child to match object to object, match picture to picture, match object to picture and finally matching word to picture. The sight reading technique she showed was based on the EDMARK Reading Program and the Star Techniques. She showed materials used through each phase of the reading program.

The program is a scientifically based reading program using errorless teaching, positive reinforcement, manipulatives, oral and sight word vocabulary. As the child learns a new word,he will then build phrases and sentences and read stories. There should be continuous progress monitoring and documentation done.

The program can also be used to increase vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. “Very good demonstration. The speaker did a step-by-step process."

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Posted in: 4parents,4pros,behavior,seminar

ASPs PweDay comes to Metro South

Come with us on Friday, 14 July 2017 at 4pm! The ASP Parañaque Chapter, led by Imelda Alviso, put together a Zumba event, quarterbacked by Ms. Zin Joy Cancio. Head over to the Stepping Stone Foundation at 8001 Del Carmen Street, Sta. Rita Village, Sucat, Parañaque for an afternoon of fun -- PWAs and family members are welcome! The village entrance is at the Shell station between Loyola Memorial Park and SM Sucat, across the Max's Restaurant.

Participants of the Zumba event

Aside from hosting the venue, Stepping Stone Foundation is making the event a performance task for learners with autism, currently enrolled in their barista program, under the tutelage of Ms. Rita Tingal. The fee of P100 comes with cold drinks, crafted by our Persons on the autism spectrum baristas-to-be.

The Autism Society Philippines Wednesday "PweDay" -- pronounced [pwe'-dey] -- aims to provide enrichment for teens and adults with autism who are not currently enrolled in schools. ASP PweDays will offer opportunities to learn new skills, to socialize with non-family members and to have fun.

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Posted in: 4parents,4pwas,4siblings

Seminar on Autism-Friendly Learning Environment

Structured teaching is a system for: organizing space; change of activities with schedules; work study systems to facilitate learning process; and material organization to promote independence. Its primary purpose is to improve adaptation of persons with autism by modifying or structuring the environment to accommodate learning deficits of those in the spectrum.

What distinguishes this seminar from others given on the same topic is the rich inclusion of application of structured teaching at home, from the resource person’s personal experience with her autistic son and those of other families she met. Actual examples emphasize the need for consistent practice and collaboration between school teachers and carers at home.

About the Speaker

Dang Koe with son Gio

Dang Uy Koe is ASP’s Chairperson Emeritus. She graduated with degrees in Communication Arts from the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines. A sought-after speaker who travels to many parts of the country sharing hopes and building dreams with families living with autism, Dang is the recipient of 2013 Apolinario Mabini Award for Rehabilitation Volunteer and UST’s 2009 The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award for Humanitarian Service for her autism advocacy work.

Seminar Fees:

Pre-Registration (until July 25 or until slots last)
ASP Member- P 500.00
Non-Member- P 700.00

On-site Registration
ASP Member- P 600.00
Non-Member- P 800.00

Seminar Details:
Date: 29 July 2017, Saturday
Time: 8:30AM - 12:00NN
Venue: ASP National Headquarters, #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentabella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Kamuning, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Pre-registered participants may pay to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please email the scan copy of your deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s and contact numbers to autismphils@gmail.com and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants or walk- in will be accepted depending on the availability of slots. There will only be 70 slots available. No refund will be given to participants who do not show up on the date of the seminar. For more details, please call ASP at 7-903-5496.

The ASP Education and Empowerment Program serves as a platform to educate Filipino parents and professionals on the various interventions, modalities and theories surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their application and implementation are left at your discretion. The views and personal experiences of the speakers are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

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Posted in: 4parents,4pros,4public

Q&A with Grace Gomez, PhD - July 2017

"It takes a village to raise a child." This African proverb rings louder for children with autism. The Autism Society Philippines believes that parents should build relationships with a professional compassionate support team who can advise and counsel them, in addressing the myriad of questions they have about raising a child on the spectrum.

"If you have met someone with autism, you have met ONE person with autism." There is no substitute for personal consultations with professionals, which consider traits and behaviors unique to the individual with autism.

As ASP continues to receive questions from parents and family members year-round, we have reached out to the following experts to help answer some concerns on health, education and intervention.

I have a son 4yo and 8mos, diagnosed with ASD. Mula po kc ng baby anak ko palagi siya nanonood ng TV as in, Tapos po nung 1 1/2yo nagtatablet na siya. Napansin namin na hindi siya normal. Nung mag 2yo na siya kasi pinacheck up namin sa PCMC at na diagnose ng ASD level 3. --- Tin I.

It would be best to supervise and regulate technology use among all children. Parents can choose a variety of educational television programs that their children can watch. There are apps that can help children with their school work. As a parent, choose the shows and the games that your children are exposed to because they most probably engage in the media that they see.

Sabi ng speech teacher kaya nyang sumabay sa regular school. Napansin ko sa 1st week ng schooling eh hindi tlga siya maistay sa upuan at hindi pa rin nakikinig sa teacher like other children. OK po ba na ipasok ko sa regular school ang anak ko or SPED school po ba talaga ang kailangan? --- Tin I.

A lot of factors affect placement. Based on the information that you have given, you can gradually place the child in the regular class. You can initially place the child in a physical education class where games and movement are involved.

May pagasa pa po bang matutong makipagcommunicate ang anak ko? May mga story po ba naging ok ang may autism? --- Tin I.

Early intervention brings a lot of benefit as the window of opportunity for learning at is optimum during the early years of life. Continue to give intervention. Be patient in reinforcing what is learned in school and the therapy center.

My 4 year old daughter has just been diagnosed ASD today. The doctor said that she has to undergo therapy. Just want to ask if what can we do more as parents to help improve my child's development and is the therapy for lifetime? --- Mark M.

Ask the therapists on activities that you can implement at home. Implement the recommended activities constantly. Be patient in teaching and affirm the child in whatever success he has. Words of affirmation such as "good job," "great," "excellent," "wow," "go and do it" motivate children.

Is sign language okay for a non-verbal autistic? My 18-year-old brother is currently studying at a SPED school, but his verbal communication skills have not improved to the extent that he can express himself, usually just syllables. I heard about total communication in Miriam College, too. Which do you think is the best for him, stay in his current SPED school, sign language in Philippine School for the Deaf, or in a total communication school in Miriam College? ---Ymmalu E.

The two schools that you mentioned are exclusively for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Unless your brother has been diagnosed to have deafness, he cannot enroll there. If you are interested in sign language, I suggest that you and your parents learn it first and be the ones to teach. There are different alternative and augmentative communication means that you can explore. One is the picture exchange communication system (PECS).

Marie Grace Gomez

Marie Grace Gomez is a Associate Professor 2 and a faculty member of the Special Education Area, UP College of Education at University of the Philippines Diliman. She is also the Director of the Diliman Learning Resource Center. Doctor Grace is currectly connected with the Counselor Education Area of the College of Education.

She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science (1998), a Master of Arts in Education Degree with major in Guidance (2003), a Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree majoring in Guidance (2007) and another Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degree majoring in Special Education (2012).

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Posted in: ask-experts