The shared journey toward a UP sablay

Yesterday marked the end of a chapter and the beginning of another in Klarenz's life as he graduated from the premier university of the Philippines. Even though it was a joyous, momentous day, my brother had to overcome a lot of obstacles that would have kept him from graduating. It's only right to properly thank the people who were part of his journey and share his story in the hopes of inspiring others.

UP Sablay

My earliest memory of Klarenz was riding a yellow jeepney to get to the hospital where he was born. I was only 8 1/2 years old so I didn't realize that it was a mere 1-minute ride from where I hailed a jeepney at the roundabout in Olongapo. He was such a beautiful baby. While I was frequently mistaken for a boy, he was often mistaken for a girl -- long eyelashes, black doll eyes, fair skin, plump cheeks. I couldn't wait to hold him in my arms. One day, when our mom went out to buy supplies at the store, I was left with my two younger brothers. Karlo and I couldn't resist cradling baby Bunso and peppering him with kisses. My mom caught us, of course, but I thought I had had enough practice holding Karlo and our younger cousins to know that I could carry our baby brother.

Then, when he was around two, we started to wonder why he wasn't speaking like kids his age. At the dinner table, he would mumble what seemed like gibberish (we even quipped he was speaking a mixture of Chinese, Russian, and Spanish!) though we would later on realize that there was a pattern to all his jibber jabber. Still, it was very concerning as this continued for the next few years. Finally, when he was around 5 years old, we went to a specialist. A penchant for lining up his toys but not playing with them, no eye contact, selective attention -- he was diagnosed with autism. I didn't fully understand it then, but I knew that there was a problem. That there would be more problems.

One time, when I was guiding his hand so he could learn how to write the letters of the alphabet, his Y kept turning into an X. I was in high school at the time, but I remember our dad picking up Karlo and me from our respective schools in Subic Bay and going to the Sinag SPED Center in town. Klarenz went there for a year so he could learn to be independent, be more sociable, and lose certain habits, such as asking his teachers to smell his armpit (It was cute then, but we knew it wouldn't be seen that way anymore when he's older). It was the place where we started learning about the needs of special individuals, and one of the most memorable characteristics of the kids in his class was that they were all so very sweet. Most of them were shy at first, but once they've warmed up to you, they're very generous with hugs. Their parents, such as Tita Grace, were naturally some of the most understanding people you would ever meet. Lorenz's mom, Tita Edna, is one of the foremost autism advocates in our hometown. Klarenz was only there for a year thanks mainly to Teacher Marie and Teacher Malou, who are such kind souls. Their job takes so much strength and patience, but they were like a second mom to everyone in that class.

For the next three years, Klarenz would study at a regular public school for him to be integrated into mainstream classes. There wasn't a lack of issues there for sure. He was the "spokening dollar" kid. Many of the other kids and their parents didn't know how to act around Klarenz and our family. It was around that time when I went to college. Before going to UP, though, I gathered some of my dad's research as well as did my own, hoping to learn that there's a cure or some way to ease our family's concerns. Until now, scientists are still trying to figure out the exact causes of autism.

It was obvious that Klarenz wasn't getting the intellectual stimulation he needed because he easily got bored in class. Consequently, in fourth grade, he was transferred to the Center of Excellence (CENTEX) in Olongapo. There he and my parents met their future allies and friends in high school and beyond. My younger brothers and cousins in Subic all went to the same high school I did. A school that I was very proud of, that is, until I heard about the incidents. While at a team building weekend in Tagaytay, I was on the phone with my mom when I learned about what was happening. His classmates had put him in one of the closets. They put bleach in his bag. One time, he and another kid were sent to the principal's office, and the other kid's parent cursed and yelled at my brother. Students, and parents bullied him. Teachers were not equipped to handle such situations. The principal then threatened to expel my brother. Those people cornered, provoked, and undermined my brother, not once, not twice, but several times over the years. They failed to understand what was lacking: the training to address such concerns and, more importantly, compassion. While my vengeful soul wanted to get back at the perpetrators, our dad managed to stay logical. No charges were made but a trained counselor was asked to give a seminar at school. According to our mom, things got better after that.

We were jubilant when Klarenz also got admitted to UP. At first, he was enrolled at Los Baños pursuing a degree in Applied Physics. However, as it was soon apparent that his heart was not really in it (and it was costly to maintain more than one house), we changed our strategy. With the help of my boyfriend, we were able to see how a degree in Library and Information Science would not only be more in line with Klarenz's strengths and interests, but the school also has one of the most supportive communities in UP Diliman. In August 2014, he began his 3-year journey in SLIS. Every day, our mom prepared meals and clothes for Klarenz while our dad tutored him. Our relatives, especially Big T, always showed their support in one way or another.

Fast forward to graduation day (because he had a lot of encouragement from family, friends, teachers, and classmates so there wasn't really any drama). This time yesterday, Klarenz shifted his sablay from right to left, an action symbolic of the success achieved when people support each other. Bunso, we have always believed in what you can do. We know that you can achieve even more. No matter what you decide to do next, we will support you.

Congratulations, Klarenz! Padayon, UP!

About the contributor. Krys Quinones is a doting sibling to PWA Klarenz. This article was first published on Krys' Facebook timeline on 25 June 2018 -- http://bit.ly/2IQh5XF #familyisforever

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Posted in: education,journey,self-advocates,university

ASP PweDay for the Month of July and August 2018

Autism … offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by --- Dr. Colin Zimbleman, Ph.D.

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 Indoor Games

On July 4 - we will have Indoor Games. This activity will help Persons on the autism spectrum to increase and develop the following: social interaction among our Persons on the autism spectrum, help to seek out lifelong friendships while learning how to take turns and partake in socially appropriate behaviors, build the skills required for communication through playing and interacting, physical activity is also suggested to improve self-esteem. Participants must wear comfortable shoes, bring extra shirt, water and a simple snacks.

On July 11 - we will have Beads Making. A beads is a small, decorative object that is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes of a material such as stone, bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood or pearl and with a small hole for threading or stringing. This activity is excellent leisure activity for Persons on the autism spectrum, promoting development in the following areas: Fine Motor Skills - in terms of grasping various sizes of beads. Larger beads often promote the "3-jaw chuck" grasp, similar to holding a large pencil or marker. Smaller beads encourage to use their pincer grasp, thus strengthening the small muscles of their hands. In-hand manipulation skills, many components of making a beaded craft increase strength and coordination in the small hand and finger muscles. Visual Perceptual Skills - Visual Discrimination, Scanning, Visual Memory. They must be able to remember the beading pattern to determine the bead they want to use. Once they know what bead they want, visual discrimination assists them in selecting the bead that fits their mental image of the desired bead. Visual Motor Skills - Eye-Hand coordination - Threading beads onto a string involves bilateral coordination of the child's hands, and requires their eyes and hands to work together. Cognitive Skills - Planning what style of necklace does they want to make? What pattern will they choose? Where are all the materials needed to complete this beading activity? this develops his/her planning and problem-solving skills. Social Skills- promote sharing and cooperation, as they choose beads and complete their projects in a group setting.

On July 18 - (CANCELLED. MOVE TO JULY 25) we will make Home Made Ice Cream. Our Persons on the autism spectrum will make their own ice cream in minutes. Homemade ice cream is so good and you can make it with just a few ingredients and no special equipment. We will not use any ice cream maker, just a simple method that will surely enjoy. This will teach them on proper food hygiene, simple food preparation, and presentation. Participants must bring their own hair net, apron, plastic container/tupperware and wear closed shoes (no slippers or sandals please). Prepare a P200 donation when you get on-site.

On July 25 - we will make Home Made Ice Cream. Our Persons on the autism spectrum will make their own ice cream in minutes. Homemade ice cream is so good and you can make it with just a few ingredients and no special equipment. We will not use any ice cream maker, just a simple method that will surely enjoy. This will teach them on proper food hygiene, simple food preparation, and presentation. Participants must bring their own hair net, apron, plastic container/tupperware and wear closed shoes (no slippers or sandals please). Prepare a P200 donation when you get on-site.

On August 1 - we will Sensory Friendly Movie. To provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for our special audience, ASP will allow bringing up the lights, turning down sound volume, allowing families/Persons on the autism spectrum to bring in their own snacks and welcoming audience members to get up, dance, walk, shout, sing, go in and out of the room. Prepare a P100 donation when you get on-site.

On August 8 - another Art Day for Persons on the autism spectrum. We will have DIY Trendy Bleached T-shirt. Bleached T-Shirts are one of the trending fashion style nowadays. Bleach is the common household cleaning agent that can be used in a variety of different ways. But this time, we will use this to create unique t-shirt designs. This fun activity to work on with our Persons on the autism spectrum, can incorporate color identification, fine motor skills, following directions, and more! Please bring the following: rubber gloves, your own colored shirt, face mask and the P150 donation.

On August 15 - we will be conducting a session on Videoke. Participants will sing their favorite song. With all the freestyle singing and dancing, there is much fun to be had!

On August 22 - we will have a Cooking session. Persons on the autism spectrum will cook Pastimallows. Pastillas is a milk-based confectionery, to add some twist, we will just add marshmallow. For adults on the autism spectrum, cooking can be an opportunity to increase independence, learn basic academic skills to use in a functional way. Cooking is a multi-sensory experience. Children who have sensory processing challenges can benefit greatly from the smells, textures and tastes involved with the cooking process. This will teach them 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 P200 donation when you get on-site.

On August 29 - the most requested PweDay activities - MixxedFit Dance Fitness led by our Certified Mixxedfit Instructor Miss Donna Lim. MixxedFit will feel you energized, combining fun-loving dance moves with interval training and cardio workouts, individuals will enjoy an inspirational full body workout. This innovative dance-fitness incorporates different elements, all of which are designed to tone, strengthen, and increase endurance. Please wear you best and comfortable MixxedFIt outfit!

"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 their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive and socially-accepted members of the community -- no matter where they are on the spectrum. By keeping our Persons on the autism spectrum active and engaged outside the home, we are also training the society to be more aware of what autism is, to be more appreciative of their gifts and to be more accommodating of their deficits."

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Posted in: 4pwas

ASP Family Support Group for July 2018

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.

Momie Peng with sons Patrick and Angelo

Mommy Peng So is a current ASP National Trustee. Peng juggles between being a full-time, hands-on-mom to her two gems on the spectrum, Patrick and Angelo; and, with her husband, empowering her other adult children in handling the family business. Peng has inspired many with her fortitude in guiding her two sons on the spectrum. Patrick graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in BS Life Sciences and has taken a certification course in UST and is now Certified Securities Specialist. Angelo ,on the other hand, undergoes functional life skills and pre-vocational training in a SPED program. By a fortunate stroke of serendipity, Peng was introduced to ASP and autism advocacy; and she has never looked back. Advocating for autism acceptance and inclusion has become a part of her daily agenda. She inspires others to think beyond the autism diagnosis and to enrich the lives of children with autism by gifting them with valuable life experiences.

Date: 21 July, Saturday
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Venue: Autism Society Philippines National Headquarters
Address: #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentebella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Sign up for the Family Support Group via the on-line form below or call +632 903-5496. Only 15 seats are available.

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Posted in: 4parents

The Neurofeedback approach

Ryan* is a 10 year old boy in the autism spectrum. As is typical of his condition, he is unable to express himself verbally, shuns social play and displays impulsivity and hyperactivity. His mom enrolled him in Neurofeedback to augment his therapy and after numerous sessions, his speech is more intelligible and output has increased, even initiating conversation at times. He looks forward to parties and playtime with other kids and his tantrums have lessened. His mother shares, “He is more focused, relaxed and happy, able to control himself when he is upset.”

Largely neglected nowadays is the fact that autism, ADHD and many other behavioral conditions is connected to the brain. Though its exact origins are still a mystery, research has shown that structure (bigger brains due to overgrowth) and connectivity (degree of communication between the different regions) of a brain with autism is different from a typically-developing one. Moreover, such conditions are not only features of chemical imbalances, as is more popularly known, but dysregulation of brain wave activity as well. Brain waves (namely beta, alpha, theta and delta) are electrical frequencies that code our mental, emotional and behavioral states. If these fire too fast or too slow, our ability to focus, to relax, to speak, to control impulses, among others, becomes suboptimal. Thanks to developments in neurotechnology, the brain can now actively balance itself—through Neurofeedback.

Neurofeedback Session

Neurofeedback trains the brain to self-regulate by providing real-time information of its brain wave activity. It starts with a Brain Map to determine if functional centers, responsible for a certain skill set such as attention, speech, mood, memory, etcetera, are overactive or underactive. These imbalanced sites are then targeted for training. In a session, sensors are attached to the scalp to measure and pick up (no electricity or radiation is emitted!) brain wave activity that is converted into images and sounds. The brain therefore uses these sensory cues to regulate itself and is positively reinforced through visual and auditory rewards.

One can think of Neurofeedback as brain wave exercise. The specific skill centers in the brain are put on a fitness regimen and regular, weekly training sessions result in structural and functional changes. After all, the brain is plastic! Neurofeedback is benched on the core principle of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change physically and functionally in response to learning. With Neurofeedback, the brain learns to produce healthier patterns that will make the brain work more efficiently. By strengthening the brain’s speech center, the child increases his verbal output. By regulating his attention center, he learns to focus more and be less hyperactive.

Conventional modalities such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA, among others, are still necessary and indispensable. Gut health too is exceedingly crucial as research in the last decade has proven the digestive microbiota’s role in controlling mood and behavior. If however the child has tried everything with minimal results, then there is a huge chance that his brain is not functioning optimally. One must take a neural approach. Adding Neurofeedback to the therapeutic picture boosts the child’s progress because it provides a direct route to the brain in a safe, painless and non-invasive way. This restoration of the brain’s balance and flexibility optimizes one’s skills and enables a better quality of life.

*Not his real name. The Autism Society Philippines does not endorse specific interventions -- medical, pharmacological, therapeutic or nutritional. We feel that informed decisions on the holistic health of individuals with autism -- well-suited to their unique situation -- should be made by individual with autism and his family. Our responsibility is to make information available to our membership.

About the contributor. Dr. Cheryl Ramirez is the Clinical Director of Mindworks Center for Mind Health, located at Unit 311 Narra Building, 2276 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati City. Contact numbers are +63 2 553-5943 or +63 916 735-5014.

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Posted in: science

The “Tuklas” of an Atenean on the Spectrum

Last March 25, 2018, I graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University together with the rest of my BS Computer Science 2018 batchmates. As I looked back at how I was able to survive college as an ASD student with the help and grace of God, I came to the conclusion that it was indeed a memorable time which changed my perspective for the rest of my life. Our batch has been called “Tuklas”, which could be translated as “Discover” in English. What follows is a brief summary of my experiences back in my days as an Atenean and how my quest for “Tuklas” ultimately led me to realize that there are indeed people who accepted me and supported me all throughout my studies.

For instance, there were my very considerate and caring friends and classmates that I have met in my entire four-year stay as a BS Computer Science student in Ateneo. During the Orientation Seminar for all Atenean newbies, I initially felt “out-of-place” because of new people and new places, but thank God, I was able to make new friends in that event. In fact, during an activity, most of my blockmates (aka my newfound peers) described me as an energetic, friendly, and a kind person. And in the years that follow, my colleagues were indeed a great help to me in that they guided me in my behavioral, moral, and spiritual maturity. Above all, they show no discrimination and favoritism. And speaking of which, I should never forget as well the organizations which further hone my skills and my advocacies, most notably the Computer Society of the Ateneo (CompSAt), Ateneo Mathematics Society (AMS), Ateneo Special Education Society (SPEED), and my Every Nation Campus Bible Study Group.

I should also not forget to mention the professors, staff, and subjects that made the most impact in the way I think about myself and others. My mentors from the Office of Student Services and Office of Guidance Counseling helped me to adjust to the new social environment at the Ateneo despite having ASD. The Introduction to Ateneo Cultures and Traditions (InTACT) program allowed me get to know more of myself and become more appreciative and open to others, my family, my country, and above all, to the Lord God Almighty whom I serve. My professor who taught General Psychology saw my potential to be an encouragement to others as an advocate for people with ASD. Along with others, I was chosen to take a course in Problem Solving Techniques and even went as far as coaching Ateneo Junior High School students for the Ateneo Mathematics Olympiad. Through Science and Society, I became very interested most especially in nutrition, health, and urban planning. A study in the life and works of Jose Rizal made me aware of the social and economic problems of the Philippines. Courses in Theology and Philosophy led me to further reflect on action for justice and the importance of community in helping out solve issues. Together with my group mates, our undergraduate thesis on eye-tracking provided the Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences with new insights on the differences on how novice and expert programmers read, understand, and debug code written in the Java programming language.

Besides the very accommodating people whom I encountered in my stay in Ateneo, there were other things I did which not only further my advocacy for people with special needs but also those which benefit all social sectors. Some of the events where I got involved in include Ateneo Mathematics Olympiad, as a coach for Grade 7 students, and later the Grade 8 students, Ateneo Summer Programming Camp, as a secretariat for the teachers class and as a tutor for the students class, Ateneo Center for Educational Development, where I joined in the feeding program of the Ateneo Blueplate for Better Learning as part of my Immersion requirements, and TALAB 2018, where I volunteered and assisted Ateneo SPEED. Outside of Ateneo, I also spend time teaching kids at Sunday School. And that does not end there. As of this writing, I am currently taking up my MS CS STRAIGHT program in my alma mater and I have plans on either continuing eye-tracking studies which started back in my undergraduate thesis, or to create a new educational application altogether. Either way, these proposals aim to benefit people with special needs, more specifically children with ASD like me. In addition, I plan to finish the “construction” of my children’s educational blog entitled “The Adventures of Zene and Zeanne”, which teaches about Christianity and Philippine Culture. I’ll continue to support Autism Society Philippines and Best Buddies Philippines and I’m thankful to be a member of those organizations.

Let me conclude this article by going back to the graduation ceremony itself. In one portion of the event, I, together with the other JGSOM and SOSE graduates, were blessed and privileged to have Ms. Roselle Ambubuyog, a visually-impaired Atenean who graduated Class Valedictorian of Batch 2001, as our keynote speaker. But of all that she said in her speech that day, these statements stood out for me: “Desire to inspire, and serve without reserve... Never underestimate your capacity to inspire and be inspired.... Commit to excellence in service and don’t settle for ‘good enough’” (Ambubuyog). Let me tell you this: Don’t let your disability be an excuse for you not to be used by God for His wonderful purposes for this world. Psalm 139:14 says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Thus, I challenge you, the next time you think that you can’t do it because of your weaknesses, say “With God, everything is possible!” (Matthew 19:26). Above all, I invite you to always “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Works Cited: Ambubuyog, Roselle R. “Seeing by Insight.” Ateneo de Manila University Commencement Exercises 2018. Ateneo de Manila University Commencement Exercises 2018, 25 May 2018, Quezon City, Ateneo De Manila University.

About the contributor: Ezekiel Adriel D. Lagmay graduated with a bachelors degree in Computer Science in 2018 from the Ateneo de Manila University. He earned Magna Cum Laude honors and his course's Program Awardee. This budding academician is moving on to take his Master's degree in Computer Science from the same institution.

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Posted in: inclusion,journey,university