ASP launches PWA Employability Seminar Series

AWorks PWA Employability digital poster

In commemoration of the World Autism Acceptance Month, the Autism Society Philippines is launching the Autism Works PWA Employability Seminar Series, which will provide hard and soft skills training to adults on the spectrum who are officially signed up for the Autism Works program. They must have been already interviewed, and have signed the Autism Works affirmation of commitment contract.

We are partnering with Accenture Philippines, one of the country's leading providers of technology services, for training in Microsoft Powerpoint Fundamentals, Microsoft Excel Basics + Intermediate + Advanced and Microsoft Word for several Saturdays of April and May 2018.

Date: See registration form for schedule
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Venue: 25.43/44 Training Room, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 2, Mandaluyong City, PHL
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/McpgxczRfow

The ASP's Autism Works career placement initiative aims to build an Autism-OK Philippines by creating genuine employment opportunities in compassionate workplaces. ASP's CBR-inspired employment model empowers PWAs and their families towards success at work, through careful profiling of candidates, customized job matching, job coaching training and partnership with respected transition specialists and employers. Since the program first started in 2016, it has grown by leaps and bounds, filling 80 positions in 22 enterprises in the the provinces of NCR, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna and Quezon.

To be considered for Autism Works, PWAs may send their resumes to autismphils@gmail.com. We will reach you for schedule of interviews and assessments. We are working through a long queue applicants, please be patient.

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Posted in: 4pwas,employment,training

Barista Training for Adults with Autism

The Center for Excellence in Special Education (Stepping Stone) Foundation, Inc has developed a barista program for adults with autism, that aims to build the necessary skills for successful employment in the hospitality and food industries, offering a certification issued by Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA). They have partnered with the Autism Society Philippines to offer the program to its members. The tuition fee for twenty (20) full-day sessions is eleven thousand two hundred pesos (P11,200) -- computed at P14,000 less 20 percent PWD discount.

Coffee

If the trainee is interested in a full scholarship, the following terms and criteria apply.

1) Trainee (not the parents) must be an ASP member in good standing. He/She must have been formally diagnosed with autism by a competent professional, must have a PWD ID which attests to his/her disability and is at least 18 years old.

2) Trainee must be able to work independently in the classroom and in the kitchen (without parent or caregiver); and must be able to understand and execute based on verbal instruction. Any incidence of verbal or physical aggression shall be grounds for expulsion from the program.

3) Trainee must commit to attending twenty-five (25) full-day sessions at the Center for Excellence in Special Education (Stepping Stone) Foundation, Inc. – Sucat Campus at 8001 Del Carmen Street, Inside St. Rita Village, BF Homes, Sucat, Parañaque City. Tardiness and absence will mean expulsion from the program.

4) Trainee shall pay for the full cost of the program to Stepping Stone – in the event that he/she is expelled from the program for any reason. The payable amount is eleven thousand two hundred pesos (P11,200) -- computed at P14,000 less 20 percent PWD discount.

5) Trainee shall be responsible for miscellaneous costs such as, but not limited to, uniform, lunch and snacks, and transportation.

6) Trainee shall participate in interviews, tests and surveys, as required by Stepping Stone, the ASP or a potential employer.

7) Trainees and their families shall grant permission for the photos and videos taken during the conduct of the training to be used by Stepping Stone or the ASP for educational, promotional or advocacy purposes.

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Those interested in enrolling in the program, but do not qualify for the scholarship criteria, may contact Stepping Stones directly via email: dayal@steppingstone.ph.

This who are interested and qualify for the scholarship may email their resumes to autismphils@gmail.com with the email subject "BARISTA TRAINING: Name of Trainee." Adults with autism applying for the program and his/her parent will be screened and interviewed after Holy Week.

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Posted in: 4pwas,barista,food,training

Autism Sensitivity Training in Pagudpud

Sensitivity to the needs of customers with special needs is slowly becoming a must-have for businesses to flourish. One incident which is perceived to be discrimination to disabled people has the potential to affect a company's bottom-line.

So it came as a pleasant surprise that the Kingfisher Resort sought the help of the Autism Society Philippines to conduct an autism-sensitivity training for their staff on 13 May 2015. Kingfisher is a boutique resort that caters to a niche clientele of kitesurfers, windsurfer and beach lovers from all over the world. Their request was a surprise because resort was located in Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte -- near the country's northernmost tip. Many establishments in metropolitan areas have yet to equal this commitment to disability training!

Mona Veluz conducts Autism Sensitivity Training seminar to Team Kingfisher and staff

ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz conducted the seminar, with the support of ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe and ASP Trustee Grace Adviento. The resort restaurant, housekeeping and water sports staff sat though descriptions of typical signs of autism in small children. Using their personal experiences and perceptions, the groups delved into the misconceptions and myths about autism; and later, how they can help and serve customers with autism. The team gamely asked questions at the end of the session.

Thank you to Team Kingfisher Mon Manotok, Zarah Chua and Rico Calma for your hospitality! We hope that the take-aways from the sessions enlighten and encourage compassion in your staff, especially for customers who have special needs.

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Posted in: 4public,business,regional,seminar,training

Seminar on Fundamentals in the Care and Management of Children

The ASP Laguna Chapter conducted a seminar entitled “Fundamentals in the Care and Management of Children with Disabilities.” It was held at the Los Baños Community Center in Barangay Baybayin, Los Baños, Laguna last 07 February 2015. Attendees included educators from Paete Intervention Center and Related Disorders, Health for Autism Research and Training Center, Holy Rosary College, and parents and guardians from different parts of Laguna.

The speaker, Ms. Victoria Ramos

The seminar started with a prayer led by the president of Los Baños Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities, Inc, Mr. Genaro Calderon. It was followed by a welcome remarks from the president of ASP Laguna Chapter President Catherine Lopez. Resource speakers include: Veronica Chavez, Ma. Victoria Ramos and Ms. Lopez.

The seminar provided additional knowledge on how to deal with and handle children and adolescents with autism and other related disabilities. At the end of the seminar, the attendees were armed with relevant information which they can use to help improve and optimize children with special needs.

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,4pros,chapters,community,regional,seminar,training

ASP Conducts Public Speaking Training for Chapter Leaders

In order to equip the Chapter Leaders and members on the skills in public speaking, the ASP conducted a Public Speaking Training and Workshop last 5 July 2014 at the Parañaque City Hall. Chapter leaders and members came all the way from as far as Bicol just to be trained in becoming effective public speakers and learn from the experts: ASP Chair Emeritus Erlinda Koe; President Janette Pena; Trustees Perlita So and Grace Adviento; and Members, Teacher My Sorongon and Evert Malapad.

ASP Chapter Leaders and Officers group

Tita Dang spoke on everything about public speaking -- do’s and dont’s, preparations before and during the speaking engagements, preparing an effective presentation, etc. Teacher My spoke about EDEIP, which is essential in autism awareness. Tita Peng spoke about on how to be an effective speaker on training the SM frontliners.

The atmosphere inside the venue was fun-filled and a learning experience as it was not only a time for them to learn but a time for Chapter leaders and members getting acquainted with each other.

ASP Lagro’s Mayette Tan shared that the training was a very empowering experience for her as she got to know more of other Chapter Leaders and some members. Dr. Anawi Tolentino, from Hagonoy Chapter, echoed the same. “One whole day of trainors’ training is indeed a great learning experience for me, because it made me realize that we as parents and carers of children with autism can bond together and should advocate for their needs and rights with one strong voice,” she said.

Melanie Liang, from ASP City of San Fernando Chapter, shared that “the Speakers Training by the ASP National was a totally awesome experience for most of the participants. It was fun because most of the chapters joined in by sending off their representatives for the training. It was a learning experience because we were equipped with more information about autism -- details that we thought we already know, but we don't. It was inspiring because the force of the national team shared their own journey as ASP speakers, starting from being plain mothers up to being the voices of this advocacy.” She praised the facilitators for being an expert in the field of public speaking. “Ma'am Dang has this contagious energy that filled the room for hours. Her coaching skills squeezed out the little speakers within us. The insights of Ma'am Peng and Ma'am Grace and the rest of the team had fired up the enthusiasm in everyone's heart and mind. It was pretty amazing,” she said.

The members were grateful for this training as they gained a learning experience on being a public speaker. For Melanie, it made her realize that she could go further than being just being an ASP member by becoming a public speaker and to become the voice of his son, Josh.

As the training came to an end, the members were looking forward to be an effective speaker in the future. They promised that they will train more and polish their skills in public speaking.

“All of us in that one room has a child with autism - uniquely different from one another with different needs and yet - all of us are willing to be trained and advocate as ONE not just for one child but for the whole autism community. Each of us can start with our chapter members – inform them what this is and how we can be better advocates not only to them but to everyone willing to listen.” Dr. Anawi said.

About the author: Raphael Torralba is the Program Coordinator of ASP and its resident photographer. He is a former media photojournalist and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Computer-Based Information Systems. His advocacy to serve the PWD community has been recognized by the National Council on Disability Affairs. Raph's youngest brother, Patrick, is on the spectrum.

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Posted in: chapters,training