ASP’S Homepowerment Program – Empowering Families thru Training and Therapy Services for CWAs

The Autism Society Philippines is pleased to open the applications for Batch 9 of ASP's HOMEpowerment, a program that offers initial therapy to children with autism 8 years and below from indigent ASP member families.

HOMEpowerment digital poster

The program will be composed of occupational, speech and non-traditional therapy sessions. Parents will also receive training on how to continue their child's program at home, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to confidently care for their child with autism. This offering was made possible by the generous donation of Kiehl's Philippines, as part of a global effort to support autism causes.

Here's how you can apply to the ASP's HOMEpowerment program:

1) The applicant family must ...
1.1 live within Quezon City's District 1, District 3 and District 4;
1.2 have a Certificate of Indigency, issued by DSWD or the barangay;
1.3 commit to attending all therapy sessions, parent trainings and to implementing programs at home; and
1.4 allow home visits by a parent-mentor

2) The child with #autism must ...
2.1 have a formal autism assessment report from a developmental pediatrician or a
recommendation from a licensed occupational or speech therapist;
2.2 be born no earlier than 1 September 2011 (approximately 8 years old and below);

3) The applicant family must fill out this form below. ASP will schedule interviews with the applicant families. THERE IS NO NEED TO FOLLOW UP. WE WILL REACH OUT TO ALL APPLICANTS FOR INTERVIEW SCHEDULES. PLEASE BE PATIENT.

4) ASP will select a limited number of children with autism to benefit from the program.

Occupational Therapy shall be conducted at the Quality Life Discoveries, at No. 70 20th Avenue Barangay San Roque, Quezon City, while Speech Therapy is offered at Center for Exploration and Experiential Development at Room 414 Jocfer Bldg., Commonwealth Ave. Quezon City.

The Autism Society Philippines aspires to extend this program to more families and to bring it to the provinces. Our experience from the pilot batch has helped us develop the program to better answer the needs of a growing autism community.

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Posted in: 4pwas,children,HOMEpowerment,therapy

ASP’S Homepowerment Program – Empowering Families thru Training and Therapy Services for CWAs

The Autism Society Philippines is pleased to open the applications for Batch 8 of ASP's HOMEpowerment, a program that offers initial therapy to children with autism 8 years and below from indigent ASP member families.

HOMEpowerment Digital Poster

The program will be composed of occupational, speech and non-traditional therapy sessions. Parents will also receive training on how to continue their child's program at home, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to confidently care for their child with autism. This offering was made possible by the generous donation of Kiehl's Philippines, as part of a global effort to support autism causes.

Here's how you can apply to the ASP's HOMEpowerment program:

1) The applicant family must ...
1.1 live within Quezon City's District 1, District 3 and District 4;
1.2 have a Certificate of Indigency, issued by DSWD or the barangay;
1.3 commit to attending all therapy sessions, parent trainings and to implementing programs at home; and
1.4 allow home visits by a parent-mentor

2) The child with #autism must ...
2.1 have a formal autism assessment report from a developmental pediatrician or a
recommendation from a licensed occupational or speech therapist;
2.2 be born no earlier than 1 September 2011 (approximately 8 years old and below);

3) The applicant family must fill out this form below. ASP will schedule interviews with the applicant families. THERE IS NO NEED TO FOLLOW UP. WE WILL REACH OUT TO ALL APPLICANTS FOR INTERVIEW SCHEDULES. PLEASE BE PATIENT.

4) ASP will select a limited number of children with autism to benefit from the program.

Occupational Therapy shall be conducted at the Quality Life Discoveries, at No. 70 20th Avenue Barangay San Roque, Quezon City, while Speech Therapy is offered at Center for Exploration and Experiential Development at Room 414 Jocfer Bldg., Commonwealth Ave. Quezon City.

The Autism Society Philippines aspires to extend this program to more families and to bring it to the provinces. Our experience from the pilot batch has helped us develop the program to better answer the needs of a growing autism community.

Read more »

Posted in: children,HOMEpowerment,therapy

ASP pilots HOMEpowerment Program -- Therapy Services for CWAs

We are celebrating World Autism Acceptance Month with the launch of yet another groundbreaking initiative!

Teacher My Sorongon demonstrating
an approach during the EDEIP at Pasay City

The Autism Society Philippines is pleased to open the applications for Batch 1 of ASP's HOMEpowerment, a program that offers 10 months of therapy to children with autism from indigent families, for a minimal fee of P50 per session.
The program will be composed of occupational, speech and non-traditional therapy sessions. Parents will also receive training on how to continue their child's program after the 10 months, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to confidently care for their child with autism. This offering was made possible by the generous donation of Kiehl's Philippines, as part of a global effort to support autism causes.
Here's how you can apply to the ASP's HOMEpowerment program:

1) The applicant family must ...

1.1 live within Quezon City's District 1, District 3 and District 4;
1.2 have a Certificate of Indigency, issued by DSWD or the baranggay;
1.3 be willing to attend all therapy sessions, parent training and implement home programs for 10 months; and
1.4 allow home visits by a social worker.

2) The child with #autism must ...

2.1 have a formal autism assessment report from a developmental pediatrician or a recommendation from a licensed occupational or speech therapist;
2.2 be born no earlier than 1 January 2010 (approximately 8 years old and below); and
2.3 be clear of physical disabilities or co-morbid medical conditions.

3) The applicant family must fill out this form below. ASP will schedule interviews with the applicant families in April 2018. THERE IS NO NEED TO FOLLOW UP. WE WILL REACH OUT TO ALL APPLICANTS FOR INTERVIEW SCHEDULES. PLEASE BE PATIENT.

4) ASP will select thirty (30) children with autism to benefit from the program.

The venue of the pilot batch of the ASP HOMEpowerment Program will be at the Quality Life Discoveries, at No. 70 20th Avenue Barangay San Roque, Quezon City.

The Autism Society Philippines aspires to extend this program to more families and to bring it to the provinces. Our experience from the pilot batch will help us develop the program to better answer the needs of a growing autism community.

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Posted in: children,HOMEpowerment,therapy

Searching for an outstanding young self-advocate with autism

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) in partnership with UNICEF-Philippines will be conducting the 3rd Philippine National Children’s Conference (PNCC) on 17-20 May 2016 in Metro Manila. The PNCC is expected to be participated in by children aged 10-17 and serves as a venue for children to have an appreciation of current and emerging issues affecting them. The PNCC is also a platform for children’s consultation on how they can be actively engaged by government in addressing the issues identified. As in the past, CWC ensures that the PNCC is facilitated by CWC trained children facilitators.

In addition, the conduct of the 3rd PNCC is an in-country process for the Philippines’ participation to the Fourth ASEAN Children’s Forum (ACF) to be hosted by Vietnam on 19-24 June 2016. The Philippines’ children delegates to the ACF will be selected from among the participants of the PNCC.

All travel and accommodation costs for the child and the companion for both events will be shouldered by the Philippine government.

The Autism Society Philippines is in search of a bright young self-advocate with autism who is between 10-17 years old, visible and engaged in ASP or in other community groups, knowledgeable on children’s issues in the community & children with autism, and can articulate ideas and opinions. A parent or family member must be an ASP member in good standing.

Parents should send an email to autismphils@gmail.com with the subject "PHILIPPINE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE | Name of Child" the following details BEFORE MAY 11:

1) child's name and birthday
2) parent's name and contact number
3) why the child would make a good representative for Filipino children with autism.

Photo credit: PETA

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Posted in: children,conference,government

Kidzania Mania!

Be a card-carrying ASP member and get a chance to win Kidzania tickets! Join using the form below.

KidZania Manila operates like a real city that is built to the scale of children, complete with paved roads and vehicles, buildings and establishments, a functioning economy and its own currency. Designed for children aged 4 to 14, KidZania Manila houses more than 55 establishments most of which are sponsored by real brands with over 70 role play activities. At KidZania Manila, children perform ‘jobs’ and are either paid for their work (as a stylist, fireman, radio jockey, surgeon, among others) or pay to get a service (university, culinary school, department store, driving school, among others).

Photo credit: Philippine Daily Inquirer

We are raffling off 60 tickets for CWAs and their guardians (each pair of tickets costs approximately P1,500) to experience imaginative play at Kidzania in Taguig. This unique opportunity is care of our friends from Cebu Pacific.

1) Membership must have started or been renewed and fully paid between January 1 and May 30, 2016.

2) This raffle is open to parents of children with autism and CWAs. Professional and institutional members are not eligible.

3) To avail, child with autism must be 8-14 years old. The winning ticket cannot be transferred to a neuro-typical child.

5) Raffle will be on 2 June, 2016 at the ASP National HQ.

6) The ASP visit to Kidzania will be on 10 June 2016, Friday. Tickets will be distributed on site. Failure to be present on the assigned date will mean forfeiture of the tickets.

7) Decisions on eligibility and on winners made by the ASP National Staff are final.

Kidzania Manila | DIRECTIONS | VISITORS GUIDE

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Posted in: children,membership,play,promo

ASP Laguna holds the 9th Friendship Games

ASP Laguna Chapter conducted the annual Friendship Games as part of the celebration of the National Autism Consciousness Week. This year’s theme “Aim High, Fly High Through Going Back to Basics” was participated by 12 member schools -- First Steps Intervention and Therapy Center Inc., Liliw Intervention Center, Work of Heart Child Center, Arcangel Intervention and Tutorial Center, Child and Teen Success Intervention Center, George and Ru Intervention Tutorial Center, Paete Intervention Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Autism Resource Center, Child Formation Center, Holy Rosary College, GS Option House and Learning Center, Inc. and Biñan SPED Center.

Participants of the 9th Friendship Games

This year’s games, held at Stonecrest in San Pedro City, Laguna, was hosted by GS Option House and Learning Center, Inc. Registration started at 7:00 in the morning, which was followed by energetic dance moves and exercises. An invocation was led by Christian Taclendo and Gina Tangle. Nica Escasiñas, a special guest performer, led the singing of the National Anthem. The teachers of GS Option House welcomed the participants through its opening number.

Noemi T. Viado, GS School Directress and Administrator, welcomed the guests, participating schools and friends. Cathy Lopez, President of ASP Laguna Chapter, expressed gratitude for the presence of everyone who took their effort and time to be part of the celebration. She mentioned about the history of the Friendship Games. It started out as a sports fest initiated by ASP Laguna past president Ms. Riza Cansanay with the active participation of the ASP Laguna officers. The activity was supported by teachers and students from Letran College Calamba in 2006. The event served as an inspiration to come up with what is now called the annual Friendship Games. Fun, camaraderie and sportsmanship are the objectives of the Games.

Mary Janette Peña, member of the ASP National Board of Trustees and Hon. Bong Bejasa Jr., from the City Council of Biñan gave inspirational messages. Led by Los Baños Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities, Inc. (LBAPCD) President Genaro Calderon, ASP Laguna Chapter Secretary Consolacion Cruz, LBAPCD Treasurer Salve Lapastora, and Autism Resource Center trainee Michael Cansanay, the oath of sportsmanship was recited together with the people present in the basketball court. The games started as the Chapter president declared the opening of the 9th ASP Laguna Friendship Games and immediately headed to the football field for the torch lighting ceremony. It was led by a special guest, Mr. Gerry Urcia, who was assisted by Teacher Wyler of GS Option House and Learning Center. Representatives from each school also took part.

In line with the theme, Larong Pilipino was given emphasis reviving the fun-filled childhood games for 5 years old and below such as sungka relay, here comes the sun, coconut leaves weaved ball shooting and finding coins. Revisions were made from the Filipino games to suit the child’s capacity to play. The games for the 6-11 years old category were the following: revised palo sebo (20-meter distance flag relay), going to the market, running, vegetable relay, 30 seconds stationary ball catching, tumbang preso and sungkayaw. Games for participants 12 years old and above were sack race with assistance, buko relay, sack race, running and tied legs. Poster making contest was done simultaneously with the games.

While the participants ate their lunch, they were entertained by Jollibee, who came in mascot, from its Pacita branch. To complete the theme, we witnessed a cultural show, namely the Filipino folk dance with 6 to 10 members including 2 teachers and a singing contest with at least 2 to 3 participants including a teacher using music produced or made in the Philippines or by Filipino musicians at least over a decade ago.

We were blessed to have ASP National President Ms. Mona Magno Veluz for being one of the judges. She also gave an inspirational message to all of the attendees. She was joined by other judges: Jacqueline Tan, Sid Galman, Mr. AJ Masajo, Norma Urcia, and Ma. Ana del Valle.

The event ended on a high note with the awarding of trophies, medals, plaques and gift items to the winners and certificate of participation to all participating schools and centers. The over-all champion for the 9th ASP Laguna Friendship Games is GS Option House and Learning Center, Inc. Autism Resource Center and Work of Heart Child Center, were respectively awarded as first and second runner ups.

The success of the event was made possible because of the support of all the sponsors, donors, guests, friends, school participants and also the volunteers from Perpetual Help Biñan Campus, Adventist University of the Philippines, San Pablo Colleges and GS Option House and Learning Center, Inc. (Grade 5 and 6 students).

Winning the game is only secondary to this event. What matters most is the unique meaning of participation and inclusion: not only for the children with special needs but the entire family members as well as other kind-hearted persons who support this active endeavor of the chapter. It is a learning experience of shared moments with families of children with special needs, teachers and friends. Let us all join hands as we continue to make a difference in the lives of these children.

About the Author: Ms. Catherine L. Lopez obtained her Bachelor of Elementary Education, Major in Special Education at San Pablo Colleges and her Master of Arts in Education, Major in Special Education at Jose Rizal University. She is the Job Coach for the office and messenger services of Autism Resource Center. She also serves as the President of ASP Laguna Chapter and cluster head for ASP chapters in South Luzon. She is a mother of a young adult with autism who graduated from UP Los Baños in 2017.

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Posted in: chapters,children,community,regional,sports

The making of an autism-inclusive Lupang Hinirang

For the 2015 Angels Walk for Autism, the trustees and volunteers took on the challenge of innovating on an event "standard.” ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe directed the green-screen filming and the post-prod. The parents and the individuals with autism who shared their Sunday morning were a big part of our success -- thank you to Mikhail Dangcal, Chasina Dangcal, Gio Danniel Koe, Sean Espinili, Kenrick Albert Cheng, Michael Almendrala, Nicholas Bermundo, Adrian Carlo Adviento, Andrea Alviso, Jose Rey Angelo So, Christian Taclendu, Patrick Louie So, Rodrigo Luis Recto, Neil Iversen Pajaron, Ezra Buzcano, Victor Michael Ramos, Vell Baria, Franco Cagayat and Thara Marie Santiago and Vell Baria.

And what do you get when you mix a room full of kids with autism and a production team keen on making a brave new rendition of "Lupang Hinirang?” Something EPIC.

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Posted in: angels-walk,chapters,children,music,nacw,performance,self-advocates

An ASP Advocate at the Pre-Summit on Children

As an active self-advocate representing Autism Society Philippines and my home chapter of ASP-Laguna, I attended the Pre-Summit on Children last 25 October 2014 at the Council for the Welfare of Children office in Barangay Santa Teresita, Quezon City.

Ian Lopez speaking in Pre-Summit on Children

I participated in the said event, along with other children and youth coming from different parts of the country, as they tackle and discuss issues involving Filipino children in preparation for the Summit on Children, to be held sometime in the first quarter of 2015. I was accompanied by Ms. Catherine Lopez, mentor and ASP-Laguna Chapter president.

During the Pre-Summit, I talked about my experience in the first ASEAN Children's Forum (ACF), which was held in October 2010 at Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Freeport, Pampanga. Moreover, I represented the Philippines together with two other delegates in the presentation of the ACF report in the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development in Brunei Darussalam in November 2010.

Another participant talked about her experience as a delegate in the 2012 Philippine National Children's Conference, which was held at Lancaster Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Some of the issues I raised in the pre-conference were:

* Family - The changing face of the family (single-parent households, OFW parents, same-sex couples having adopted children)

* Citizenship and governance - Freedom of information or full disclosure and the nanny state (the term he used for a large institution like the government, non-government sector, corporate sector dominating over policies involving personal choice).

* Media platforms - Doxing (a “practice of investigating and revealing one’s personally identifiable information without consent”), corruption in campus journalism and among youth bloggers.

* Climate change - A comprehensive landuse program for all Local Government Units to determine areas at risk (earthquakes, lava flow, typhoons, etc.)

* Other concerns - Malnutrition among children and the youth, children beggars/mendicants and children with disabilities and how they can cope with daily challenges plus their transition to adulthood.

The best part of the pre-conference is that the participants raised valid concerns that affect
children and the youth while simultaneously offering solutions for it. The participants are
confident that they can make an impact on Filipino children and the youth and they are hoping
that those issues will be raised in the third Summit for Children next year.

On my part, I am hoping that some, if not all, of the issues tackled will be raised among
critical decision-makers in the country: from school administrators to the barangay
leaders to city and municipal mayors to provincial governors to legislators to cabinet
heads to eventually the head of state. I am hoping that their decisions will positively affect
Filipino children and the youth, especially Filipino children and young persons with disabilities.

About the contributor: Ian Ferdinand Lopez is a scholar of the provincial government of Laguna, studying BA Sociology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Diagnosed with autism when he was three years old, he benefitted from the care of loving parents and early intervention professionals; and was successfully mainstreamed from pre-school up to high school. His started his advocacy as part of the Autism Resource Center and represented the PWD sector in the Philippine National Children’s Conference, the PWD Empowerment Seminar, the ASEAN Children’s Forum and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD).

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Posted in: children,conference

On-the-Spot Drawing Contest 2011

By Cathy Genovia, ASP Volunteer

“Truly Artistic... Proudly Autistic” is the tag line ASP uses in promoting the artistic talents of PWAs. Last 17 January 2011, more talents were discovered during the On-The-Spot Drawing Contest, which was held at the Social Hall of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Diliman, Quezon City. The event was part of the week-long celebrations of the 15th Autism Consciousness Week.

ASP National President, Mary Grace Adviento

ASP President, Grace Adviento, welcomed the participants and their teachers. ASP Treasurer, Evelyn Go, Executive Director Ranil Sorongon and Ms. Nelia Cepeda of Philippine Information Agency came to support the event. The respected judges of the said contest were; Teacher Baldwin Kho, visual artist; Arch. Rizal Morales of DOTC; Mr. Rizalio Sanchez of NCDA and Ms. Ma. Veronica Miguel of DPWH.

Winners of the On-The-Spot Drawing Contest as follows:

Self-Contained Category: 1st Prize: Ralph Sy (Independent Living Learning Center), 2nd Prize: Tejay Serrano (Barrio Obrero Elementary School) and 3rd Prize: Jeremiah Panganiban (Lagro Elementary School).

Mainstream/Inclusion, Elementary Category: 1st Prize: Rosel Conrado Sobremonte (Eulogio Rodriguez Integrated School); 2nd Prize: John Ray Angelo Madulid (Makati Sped Center) and 3rd Prize: Jerome Neil Bravante (Makati Sped Center).

Mainstream/Inclusion, High School Category: 1st Prize: Karlo Turbolencia (New Era School) and 2nd Prize: Rachel Celine Torres (New Era School).

Winners of On-the-Spot Painting Contest 2011

The said contest was co-sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), House of Representatives (HOR), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

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Posted in: art,children,competition,contest,nacw