Empowering the Families through Nutritional Intervention

Autism Society Philippines Laguna Chapter continues its services to empower persons with disabilities and their families through health related activities. The live blood analysis was conducted at Autism Resource Center (ARC) in Los Baños on April 23,2015 in partnership with a member facility, Heart for Autism Research and Training Center HeART Center) in coordination with the Christian Development Center. ASP Laguna believes in the power of a healthy lifestyle and its effects in our lives.

ASP Laguna Families and Persons with Disabilities

Fifty four persons participated in the said activity. To begin with, an orientation was conducted by Ms. Aisa Mendiola, HeART Center Directress. It was followed by a short discussion by Ms. Millet Buenafe, Hallelujah Health Minister from Christian Development Center. She was joined by three of her peers. Height and weight were measured, which were used to compute the Body Mass Index (BMI). The result of the BMI measurements were compared to the standard lists.

True to what we have seen in the monitor as the blood samples were analyzed, we have seen the Normal Red Blood Cells (RBC) which is round, uniform in shape and free flowing. The White Blood Cells (WBC), which is larger than the RBC, is irregular in shape and also moves independently. These healthy cells was seen in the result of live blood analysis of Aisa Mendiola, a cancer survivor for 9 years. This only proved that there is hope if we aggressively pursue a healthy lifestyle.

We are glad to see some of good results of some of the ARC trainees namely David Michael Lopez, Emmanuel Zamora and Michael Cansanay as well as Kim Lapastora of Los Baños Community Center (LBCC). Most of the participants seen to have damaged cells, rouleaux (worse stage of protein linkage, resembling a file of coin), RBC aggregation, uric acid, ovalocytes, microcytes, etc... Based on the results, participants became aware on what is happening in their body and were advised to be careful in the choice of food consumed. The healthy lifestyle has to be coupled by regular exercise, early morning sunshine exposure and most of all, seek the Divine intervention for the positive change in life.

ASP Laguna is grateful for those who have participated in this endeavour and we look forward in reaching out to other places to empower persons with disabilities and their families through this activity.

According to the disclaimer in live blood analysis form, it is “a unique technique of viewing live blood is not a diagnostic procedure for specific diseases. It is more of a screening test to reflect how one’s dietary and lifestyle may be influencing health. For our purposes, we simply want to view the “terrain” of the blood to catch a glimpse of the overall “toxic load” and consequent state of health of our client. It can often point you in a direction to take appropriate adjustments that are necessary within these areas in order to optimize health and prevent the onset of disease. Health problems and degenerative conditions can be prevented with early nutritional intervention.”

About the contributor: 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: 4parents,4pwas,4siblings,chapters,health,laguna,nutrition,regional,seminar

Nutrition’s Role in Helping Kids with Special Needs

ASP UP CAMP Manila Chapter conducted a talk on Proper Nutrition’s Role in Helping Kids with Special Needs last 03 May 2014 at the Asian Social Institute, Leon Guinto St. Malate, Manila. The seminar is part of the chapter’s series of talks to empower families in taking care of their family member with autism. This seminar is part of the “Early Steps Project” of the chapter.

Nutrition’s Role in Helping Kids seminar participants

The talk presented the current condition of food in society and its effects on one’s health. It also showed the food’s role in changing behavior and how diet can sometimes alleviate co-morbid conditions of children with autism, especially those with gastrointestinal problems. Healthy alternative that is locally available together with samples of healthy Filipino dishes was also presented. Two videos were shows at the start of the talk, “Hungry for Change” to show Food-Body-Nutrition-Healing connection and the rationale why we need to change our ways and a Ted Talk by Dr. Katherine Reid entitled “Unblind my Mind” which tries to explain the Diet and Nutrition’s Role in reversing symptoms of ASD.

Ms. Wilma “Weng” Dela Cruz-Ligot, a mother of 3, shared her own experience on how proper nutrition changed not only her son’s condition for the better, but their whole family as well. The hands-on experience with her son made her a strong believer of proper nutrition’s role in improving the quality of life of children with special needs and she hoped she was able to inspire other parents too. She also believes that parents and caregivers can be empowered by taking charge of the kind of food they eat.

Mr. Roy Amores of Amores Gluten-Free Foods who also attended shared additional inputs to the other attendees. His children, though without autism, have allergy to gluten and casein, thus his business of baking gluten free and casein free (GFCF) foods. He even gave free samples of GFCF cookies to the participants. A good number of participants attended, mix of mothers, fathers and even grandmothers were there to listened and learned more about food and how it can help their families.

There are many interventions we can give children with autism but we hope parents won’t forget that even as basic as taking charge of what their children eat will be a big help in managing their children’s behavior and autism symptoms. Hoping more parents will be open about nutrition’s role in helping kids with special needs.

About the contributors: Jennette F. Rodriguez, a mother to 3 kids, including an boy with autism, is the President of ASP UP CAMP Manila Chapter and a Parent-Volunteer at the Padre Gomez SPED Center. A graduate of BS Commerce major in Economics at University of Santo Tomas, she has assisted in organizing several events of the chapter and has given talks on Orientation on Autism and ASP to different schools and colleges, and PWD Ministries in the Vicariate of Loreto.

Wilma “Weng” Dela Cruz-Ligot is a mother of 10- year old boy with autism. She has been a hands-on mother of her son with special needs. She shares her experiences with other parents and gives talks on how proper nutrition change, not only her son’s condition for the better, but their whole family as well. She strongly believes that proper nutrition can greatly improve the quality of life children with special needs together with their families. She is a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and has a master unit in Psychology at UP Diliman.

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Posted in: 4parents,chapters,community,education,nutrition,seminar