Laging Handa: Emergency Preparedness Para sa ASP Families

Autism Society Philippines (ASP)

Sa gitna ng patuloy na mga aftershocks at balitang posibleng malakas na lindol sa Pilipinas, maraming pamilya — lalo na ‘yung may kasamang bata o adult na nasa autism spectrum — ang nangangamba.

Pero tandaan: mas nakakabawas ng takot ang kahandaan. Ang kalmado, maagang pagpaplano at pagsasanay ay malaking tulong sa mga batang may autism na sensitibo sa pagbabago ng routine, sensory input, at stress.

Narito ang Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions ng mga magulang at tagapag-alaga — kasama ang mga practical, autism-informed na sagot mula sa mga eksperto.

1. Paano ko ipapaliwanag sa anak ko ang tungkol sa lindol o ibang emergency nang maiintindihan niya?

• Gamitin ang visual aids tulad ng social stories, drawing, o step-by-step pictures para ipaliwanag ang lindol, sunog, o baha.
• Gamitin ang simpleng wika: “Kapag umuga ang bahay, magtago tayo sa ilalim ng mesa.”
• Ulitin ito sa mga short practice sessions — kahit 5 minutes lang bawat linggo.

Mag-role play sa bahay para mas maging pamilyar sila sa gagawin.

2. Anong dapat laman ng emergency ‘Go Bag’ para sa batang may autism?

Bukod sa basic items (tubig, pagkain, flashlight, first aid), isama ang:

• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
• Paboritong laruan, kumot, o sensory tool
• Autism ID at contact info
• Communication tools (PECS cards, AAC device)
• Listahan ng gamot at routine

Ang layunin: bawasan ang stress at mapanatili ang komunikasyon kahit emergency.

3. Paano ko mapapanatiling kalmado ang anak ko kung may biglaang sakuna?

• Practice = Peace. Regular na drill (hindi nakakatakot) ay nakakatulong.
• Gamitin ang mga paborito nilang calming strategy — kanta, deep pressure, breathing.
• Siguraduhing ready ang Go Bag na may comfort items.
• Gumamit ng visual timer o schedule para sa transitions.
• Maging kalmado ka rin — naaamoy ‘yan ng mga bata.

4. Ano’ng makakatulong para hindi tumakbo o mawala ang anak ko sa gitna ng emergency?

• Practice the “Stay Together” rule gamit ang visuals.
• Gumamit ng autism/medical ID bracelet.
• GPS tracker (lalo na kung may history ng wandering).
• Gumamit ng buddy system — may assigned person na hahawak sa kamay nila.
• Maghanda ng info card: “I am autistic”, may contact details.

5. Paano ihahanda ang anak kong non-verbal o may limited communication sa ganitong mga sitwasyon?

• Gumawa ng visual cue cards — “Follow Me", “Quiet,” “Evacuate.”
• Maglagay ng communication passport sa Go Bag: mga triggers, calming techniques, kung paano siya matutulungan.
• Practice non-verbal cues with family, tulad ng tap sa balikat = “Let’s go.”
• Ipakita nang paulit-ulit ang mga signs tulad ng EXIT o DANGER.

6. May mga serbisyo ba o support system para sa PWDs sa evacuation centers?

• Ayon sa batas (RA 7277 at RA 11131), may priority dapat ang PWDs.
• Hilingin sa LGU na magtalaga ng quiet space o PWD-friendly zones.
• Makipag-ugnayan sa DRRM office ninyo — tanungin kung may inclusive emergency plan sila.
• Ang ASP at ibang orgs ay pwedeng tumulong sa advocacy.

7. Paano kami makikipag-ugnayan sa rescuers kung hindi nila alam na autistic ang anak ko?

• Maghanda ng autism ID o lanyard.
• Maglagay ng First Responder Info Sheet sa Go Bag:

1. Diagnosis
2. Triggers
3. Calming techniques
4. Contact info

- Kung kaya, ipakilala na sila sa mga barangay tanod o rescue volunteers beforehand.

- Advocate for autism awareness training sa LGU ninyo.

8. Safe ba ang evacuation centers para sa batang may sensory issues?

• Sadly, hindi palaging sensory-friendly ang mga centers — maingay, maliwanag, masikip.
• Magdala ng noise-reducing gear at sensory tools.
• Request for a quiet corner or separate room, kung puwede.
• Kausapin ang LGU at ang PWD focal person para sa mas inclusive na setup.

9. Pwede ba kaming gumawa ng personalized emergency plan para sa anak ko?

• Yes, highly recommended!
• Ilista ang:

Triggers (e.g., ingay, crowd, amoy)

Calming strategies

Communication needs

Escape routes and exits

Practice with family

I-coordinate din sa school at LGU para aligned ang plano ninyo.

10. Anong puwedeng gawin ng komunidad para maging inclusive ang DRRM para sa may autism?

• Maglunsad ng autism sensitivity training sa mga responder, barangay staff, at volunteers
• Isama ang PWDs sa mga DRRM drills
• Magplano ng PWD-friendly evacuation centers
• Hikayatin ang ID cards at registry ng PWDs para sa mabilis na tulong
• Makipagtulungan sa orgs tulad ng ASP sa local DRRM planning

Ang inclusive preparedness ay responsibilidad nating lahat

Kalma, Handa, Protektado: Para sa Anak na may Autism, Para sa Buong Pamilya

Hindi natin makokontrol ang mga sakuna. Pero kaya nating paghandaan ito — nang may empathy, strategy, at community support.

Ang Autism Society Philippines ay naniniwalang:

• Hindi kailangang perfect ang plan mo — basta personalized at consistent.
• Ang pagiging handa ay hindi nakakatakot — kundi empowering.
• Laging kasama ang mga may autism sa usaping kahandaan.

Stay calm. Stay ready.

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Posted in: 4public,disaster

Autism Society Philippines joins 1st Earthquake Resilience Conference

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens, like everyone else in the affected populace, struggle through in times of natural disasters as earthquakes and typhoons. These two sectors are particularly vulnerable to the calamitous effects of the crises given the physical and/or mental limitations in their conditions, and the lack of plans and programs for PWDs and the elderly on how to best prepare for and deal with such calamities.

Participants attending 1st Earthquake Resilience Conference including PWDs and Senior Citizens

A symposium to present and discuss the issue was held last 29 June 2015 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Under the auspices of SM Cares in partnership with DOS-PHILVOLCS, NDRRMC and MMDA, the half-day event was called “Earthquake Resilience Conference – 1st Earthquake Conference for Persons with Disabilities” which featured subject matter experts and attendees from Senior Citizen and PWD groups from around Metro Manila. The ASP participants consisted of PWAs, chapter leaders, parents, siblings and service providers.

Resource speakers included PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., Architect Jaime Silva of the United Architects of the Philippines, Mr. Mark Padil, a Behavioral Specialist from the Autism Society Philippines and Mr. Johnny Yu, Director of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Their highly informative presentations expounded on the nature and hazards/risks involved during earthquakes, as well as recommended course of actions our PWDs and senior citizens can do during such eventualities. Mark Padil for his part detailed on Persons with Autism (PWA) specific behaviors and practical response options for emergency assistance workers tending to PWAs.

The conference included an open forum session where a number of senior citizens and PWDs were able to ask questions. A small section in the venue displayed Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and paraphernalia recently acquired by the city of Manila for its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council unit. Towards the conference close, all participants received emergency preparedness tokens courtesy of SM Cares Foundation consisting of an information card, whistle and small flashlight.

One brief video presentation during the event, the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, emphasized on the need for PWDs’ inclusion in the overall disaster risk management plan and program of every community. Bringing this forward by way of this earthquake resilience conference is one major positive step toward this end.

This article is a contribution from Mr. Al Peña -- the “First Gentleman” to ASP’s immediate past president Jan Peña.

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Posted in: conference,disaster,sm