Zoo AUdventure

The City of Manila is the Autism Society Philippines’ new partner in advocating for inclusion and creating autism-friendly spaces. The City will open the newly-renovated Manila Zoo on November 12, 2022 to welcome children/youth on the autism spectrum.

The Zoo AUdventure Poster

Who can join
• Interested members may sign up for this event (exclusive to active members) via the online form below. The submission deadline is November 7, at noon.
• One (1) child/youth on the spectrum and one companion per family.
• The ASP Secretariat will confirm the booking via text/call.
• As we only have 50x2 slots available, we would like to share the opportunity across as many chapters as possible.
• For cancellations, please communicate at least 48 hours ahead, as a courtesy and to allow another member to benefit from the vacated slot.

What to prepare
• Wear an ASP Angels Walk Shirt or green shirt and a medical-grade face mask.
• Expect to be exposed to the sun and no air conditioning.
• Bring an extra shirt, face towel, cap, or umbrella.
• Food and water for your own consumption.

Health Protocols
• Bring your vaccination cards (we will follow Manila Zoo’s protocol).
• Do not come with fever, cough, cold, or diarrhea.
• Observe proper social distancing.

How to get there
• Participants must be responsible for their transportation.
• Participants are expected to be at the Assembly Point (to be announced later) by 8:30am.

What to expect
• When you get to the venue, look for the ASP banner or Cenin Faderogao, who is managing the event.
• Chapter leaders/family heads are expected to manage their group/members, especially during the waiting time.
• No assurance that latecomers can be accommodated.
• There will be an online pre-event orientation for all participants to clarify mechanics.

Schedule:

November 9 - Pre-event orientation for participants; time and zoom link to be sent later.

November 12
0830H Assembly and registration
- Venue to be confirmed on November 9

0900H Arrival in Manila Zoo
- Guided tour starts

1100H End of event
- Participants can stay longer inside the zoo, on their own.

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Posted in: 4public,4pwas

Inclusive Tourism for Travelers on the Autism Spectrum

Autism Society Philippines’ Chair Emerita Dang Koe talked about inclusive tourism for travelers on the autism spectrum during the World Tourism Day 2022 Conference. Said conference was held last September 29, at the Manila Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

ASP Chair Emerita shared during the conference how families prepare
their children on the spectrum before traveling to address the autism challenges. Photo credit: DOT

Dang shared with participants from tourism associations and various academic institutions the challenges of families traveling with their loved ones on the spectrum. She summed up into two main points the ASP’s recommendations for happy tourists on the spectrum: establishments and their well-trained staff who accept and accommodate the needs of their guests on the spectrum, and accessible information available for the family before and during the tour destinations.

Aside from travelers on the autism spectrum, the panel discussion on Inclusive Tourism included
presentations for travelers with physical disabilities and DOT's Barrier-Free Tourism program. Photo credit: DOT

The Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management (OTDPRIM), hosted the hybrid WTD 2022 Conference which featured a variety of local and international multi-stakeholder speakers and industry experts. Discussions were focused on "Rethinking Tourism as a Key Element of Recovery".

Tourism associations and various academic institutions, including faculty members
and students attended the conference onsite, while others were online. Photo credit: DOT

DOT OIC-Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso represented
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the conference. Photo credit: DOT

DOT also partners regularly with the ASP in their ongoing sensitivity training for Barrier-Free Tourism. Since 2021, 16 batches of tourism frontliners from DOT National, NCR, Regions 1,2, 6 and 10 have participated in ASP’s Autism Sensitivity and Response Training. Another 5 batches from DOT NCR are scheduled from the end of October to early November.

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Posted in: 4public

Ang Natatanging karanasan ni Ate Phen

Paano nga ba nahilig ang isang batang may autismo sa pag-boboses, gayong ang sabi - mas gusto nila ang mapag isa?

Month of February ng mag-umpisa ako sa training ng pag-boboses. Naririnig at nakikita ni Ate Phen, anak ko na may autismo, ang lahat ng pinag-aaralan namin at ginagawang mga exercises. Lingid sa aking kaalaman, pinag-aaralan na pala nya kung paano ang pag- boses.

Bago pa man ako mapabilang sa training ng pag-boboses, napansin ko na, na may interes na talaga si Aten Phen sa pag-arte at pag-gaya ng mga boses. Karaniwan ko siyang naririnig na umaarte sa harap ng salamin at pag may pagkakataon, inaaya nya ang mga pinsan nya na mag-acting acting daw sila.

Si Ate Phen habang siya ay nasa dubbing booth

Kaya nang ako ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maimbitahan para mag record ng isang audio book, nakiusap sakin si Ate Phen a kung pwede din daw syang mag-dubbing. Ang nasa isip ko lamang sa mga oras na iyon, pip-icturan ko lang siya sa loob ng recording studio. After noon, alam kong magiging maligaya na siya. Subalit after ko s’ya makunan, hinanap nya sa akin iyong babasahin daw nya na part ng script! Nagulat ako pero bilang isang Ina, isang karangalan at kaligayahan sa isang tulad ko na mapagbigyan at mahasa ang talento na meron ang anak ko. Nakiusap ako sa direktor na mapagbigyan ang kanyang hiling. Laking gulat ko na lamang nang narinig ko ang aking anak: marunong pala siya na ibagay ang kanyang boses base sa istorya ng kanyang binabasa. Sobrang nag-uumapaw ang aking kagalakan sa mga oras na iyon! Daig ko pa ang nanalo sa lotto. Maaaring mapanuod dito ang video ni Ate Phen habang siya ay nasa dubbing station: https://bit.ly/3yKnaSc

Ito ay isang pagpapatunay na ang mga tulad nila ay kelangan lang bigyan ng pagkakataon upang maipamalas ang kanilang mga natatanging angking kakayanan. Sa ating paniniwala at pag-agapay sa kanila, tiyak na makakamtam nila ang landas na gusto nilang tahakin.

Sa mga kagaya ko na magulang, lalo na ung mga nawawalan ng pag-asa: sila pala ay may pag-asa, nakasalalay lamang sa ating mga kamay. To God be the Glory!

About the contributor: Mommy Esperanza Marzo o Mommy Espie sa karamihan ay ang kasalukuyang chapter president ng ASP San Mateo. Si Mommy Espie ay may 2 anak, ang panganay niya na si Ate Phenelope ay may autismo. Siya ay supplier ng lechon at seafoods bilang kabuhayan.

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Posted in: 4parents,4public,4pwas

ASP Family Support Group for October 2022

Date: 22 October 2022, Saturday
Time: 10:00am - 12:00nn
Register below to get the zoom link

Deadline of registration is 21 October 2022, Friday at 12nn

October FSG 2022 Poster

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.

The Autism Society Philippines -- together with this month's host, ASP Manila -- welcome members and non-members, bound by a common experience that is autism. We aspire to educate, empower and inspire to help build an Autism-OK Philippines.

IMPORTANT: Send us an email via autismphils@gmail.com if you have not received your Zoom credentials by Friday, 21 October at 1pm. Please do not share your link — only one device per name shall be accepted.

Our Moderators:

Lorenzo “LJay” Sumulong III is the past president of ASP Antipolo and currently one of the Trustee of ASP National. LJay built the autism advocacy in his community in Antipolo, Rizal, through the establishment of a strong connection with the local government and the implementation of creative, relevant events and projects for the benefit of children and youth on the autism spectrum and their families.

Victoria Bernardo, is the current Treasurer of ASP Manila. She is a special mom advocate, businesswoman, and financial advisor; mom of 3 boys, 2 on the spectrum; and happily married. Mommy Victoria is a mother who is strong and determined.

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Posted in: 4parents

The ASP AUthletics is back!

The Autism Society Philippines, the nation’s strongest and widest-reaching autism advocacy group is inspiring acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism (PWAs), through programs and projects relevant to our growing community of 13,000 members and 100 chapters nationwide – before, during and after the pandemic.

Authletics at Decathlon poster

In 2020, the Autism Society Philippines took another uncharted step in launching the ASP AUthletics. The program was formally introduced during the Angels Walk for Autism last January 2020. This is a nationwide initiative on 1) wellness through movement; and 2) competitive athlete development for individuals on the autism spectrum. The program promotes well-being, friendship, and achievement; as well as inspires genuine acceptance, accommodation and appreciation in an Autism-OK Philippines.

After being sidelined during the pandemic, ASP will be holding the ASP Authletics again regularly, starting on October 29. To promote autism-friendly spaces among responsible business organizations, we have tapped the Decathlon Tiendesitas as our partner. To inspire volunteerism, we will be having as game marshals members of the student organization of UP SUPER (UP Supporting PWDs through Exercise and Recreation).

What: ASP AUthletics Tournament
When: 29 October 2022, Saturday at 8:30am
Where: Decathlon, L2 Tiendesitas, Ortigas Ave, cor Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Ave, Pasig

EVENT ONE

Takkyu Volley (Team), a sport invented in Japan, is played on a ping pong table where seated athletes play the game by rolling the ball, with wood blocks, under a regulation net. The game is scored like volley ball. Get familiar with this fun but simple game here: http://bit.ly/395qIzZ. The ASP Committee will be the one to assign players to teams. (Caregivers may stand behind the athlete during the game, if needed; but caregiver cannot hold the paddle.)

Elimination system will be announced during the pre-tournament orientation, after teams are formed, based on registration. Each member of the winning team will get medals. All participants will get a certificate.

EVENT TWO

Obstacle Course Race (Individual) involves an athlete navigating through a series of challenging physical obstacles, while being timed. It will include running, jumping, hopping and balancing, testing one's speed, endurance and agility.

Please watch here for a demo of the obstacle course and Takkyu Volley.

Categories
Depending on profile of the registered athletes, categories will be based on age and/or assisted/independent.

Medals will go to the individuals with the three best times in each category. All participants will get a certificate.

Who can join
• Interested ASP members may join one or both of the 2 events by signing up for the tournament via the online form below. The submission deadline is October 22 noon.
• As there are only limited slots, regular members will be prioritized • One (1) athlete on the spectrum and one companion per family.
• The ASP Secretariat will confirm the booking via text/call. As we only have slots for 30 pairs, we would like to share the opportunity across as many chapters as possible.
• For cancellations, please communicate at least 48 hours ahead, as a courtesy and to fill up the vacated slots.

What to prepare
• For both player and companion, wear an ASP Angels Walk Shirt or green shirt and a medical-grade face mask.
• Expect to be exposed to the sun with no air conditioning at the event area.
• Bring at least an extra shirt, face towel, cap, or umbrella and your own drinking water.

Health Protocols
• Bring your vaccination cards (we follow Decathlon protocols).
• Do not come with fever, cough, cold, or diarrhea.
• Observe proper social distancing.

How to get there
• Participants must be responsible for their transportation.
• Participants are expected to be at the basketball court of Decathlon Tiendesitas at 8:30am for registration.

What to expect
• When you get to the venue, look for the ASP banner or Cenin Faderogao, who is co-managing the event.
• Chapter leaders or families are expected to manage their group/members, especially during the waiting time.
• No assurance that latecomers can be accommodated.
• An online pre-tournament orientation will be held for all participants to clarify event mechanics and other details.

0830H Registration/waiver and release of name tags (TBD)
Warm-Up Dance
0900H ASP Authletics
1100H Awarding
1130H End of Authletics Event

After the event, everyone is welcome to roam around Decathlon Store and play with their displayed sports items.

Read more »

Posted in: 4pwas,authletics