CHR Chair de Lima Commends ASP Blog

Atty. Leila De Lima

Author: CHR Chairperson Leila De Lima
Speaker of the ABB Conference

The website of Autism Society Philippines is regularly updated with posts, on those who advocate for persons with disabilities, useful information, relevant events, and especially the stories of persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This does a number of things. The website helps to educate the public at large regarding ASD, and it also helps to organize those of us who are advocates and human rights defenders. But in addition to that, the website precisely makes it possible for people, to develop the personal connections, which undo apathy.

Readers may be inspired by the experiences of those who tirelessly work to further the rights of loved ones, or complete strangers. And visitors may be moved to action by the stories of those who experience autism spectrum disorder first-hand.

In fact, the Autism Society Philippines website was recently recognized for the high caliber of its content, when it was named the Best Advocacy Blog in 2009, by the Philippine Blog Awards.

We need to tell our stories and share our experiences. We need to open other people’s eyes, help them to understand, but more than that, help them to care. The internet offers us an opportunity to reach out to the wider world, and to give persons with disabilities and the people who look out for them, a stronger voice in the community.

Excerpt of ABB speech on UN CRPD
Source: Commission on Human Rights website

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Posted in: conference

Talents Beyond Borders

The Sparkle Band consist of Adults with Autism

DARYL LIM TAN, 20 (VOCALIST)
SCHOOL- home based
LIKES- Surfing/ browsing/ playing internet games; karaoke; Writing script; Reading geography books; collecting toys for the big boy’s airplanes; Collecting souvenirs from diff. places; Mr. Bean
DISLIKES- Loud sound; Car engine noise; Tagalog movies
ABILITIES AND BEHAVIOR INSIDE STUDIO: Prefers to sing standard (old) songs; Can do back vocals; eats MC DO after session.

DESLY BIANCA LIM ALVARADO, 15 (KEYBOARDIST)
SCHOOL- JASM
LIKES- her nails done by manicurista regularly; prepares her ourfit and accessories for the next day; browsing, surfing, playing internet; watch T.V.; Collecting souvenirs; dance aerobics.
DISLIKES- brownouts; adaptation to new places; any changes in her routine
ABILITIES AND BEHAVIOR INSIDE STUDIO- can do left-right hand coordination; loves to listen to slow rock, RNB and popular music; limits rehearsal strictly up to an hour only; Doesn’t want to have more than 4 persons jamming with her; Eats her snacks only after session.

BRYAN CALVIN LU, 18 (VOCALIST/ DRUMMER/ PERCUSSIONIST)
SCHOOL- Light Christian Academy
LIKES- Surfing the net; Watching TV; reading Bible, Almanac and travel books; Going to historical places.
DISLIKES- Out of tune songs; anyone to cut his toenails; Dogs
ABILITIES AND BEHAVIOR INSIDE STUDIO: knows to read notes; wants to use new and clean drumstick only; can rehearse by himself; can play and sing old and new songs; Can do back vocals; eats between the session.

ELIJAH JOSEF BALILA, 7 (DRUMMER)
SCHOOL- The Child's World
LIKES- loves to draw; to play games on his dad’s laptop; write letter to his family members
DISLIKES- hates to be interrupted while talking; loud noise; smelly foods
ABILITIES AND BEHAVIOR INSIDE STUDIO- Likes to play new wave and popular songs; doesn’t like to practice without presence of other members; sometimes moody.

Click here to watch the performance of sparkle band

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Posted in: 4pwas,conference

Autism Angel in Congress- ABB Keynote Speaker

Cong. Irwin Tieng

The youngest congressman of the 14th Congress, BUHAY Party-List Representative, Congressman Irwin Tieng grew up in the business world, but he decided to take on the concerns of the persons with disabilities as his advocacy.

He is no stranger to the Autism Society Philippines, as he is always visible in our activities. He plans to put up his own scholarship foundation giving grants to Sped Teachers who are willing to serve their country; and also to poor but deserving students with disabilities.

Last year he advised ASP to prepare a position paper and to also encourage other disability support groups in this undertaking. On January 2009, during the Autism Consciousness Week, ASP submits the bill proposal that will institutionalize a Comprehensive, Accessible and Affordable Early Detection and Timely Intervention Services for Children with Disabilities.

Cong. Tieng with ASP representatives
during the submission of the bill

One of his proposed measures was signed into law, now Republic Act 9504, which increases the personal exemption of taxpayers with PWD dependents from P8,000 to P25,000.

Autism Angel in Congress. Fighting for autism rights and battling for autism privileges. Keynote speaker of the Autism Beyond Borders Conference.

Order your Limited Edition ABB T-shirts now! It’s only Php200. You can wear it together with the Angel Baller Bands.

Be an Angel for Autism. Wear your complete gear to the Autism Beyond Borders Conference on October 24 – 25 and show them that Hope Prevails! Call 7-903-5496.

For more information on the conference, click here to visit the Autism Beyond Borders website.

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Posted in: conference

See you At the Conference!

Only 3 days to go. Everyone’s excited and looking forward to Autism Beyond Borders Conference! We thought of sending you this reminder to guide you through the registration.

What do I do upon the arrival at SMX Convention Center on October 24?

If you are a PRE-REGISTERED participant, make sure you bring your validated bank deposit slip or ASP Official Receipt before coming to the conference.

STEPS for PRE-RESGISTERED participants:
1. Proceed to pre-registered line.
2. Go to the line corresponding to letter of your surname
Ex. Name: Juan Cruz – go to Letter C
3. Present proof of payment (Validated Bank Deposit Slip or ASP Official Receipt)
4. Sign up attendance sheet
5. Get Conference Kit (ID, Food Stubs, Certificate of Attendance & Receipt)
6. Proceed to conference area

If you are registering ON-SITE
1. Get registration form from the ABB conference roving personnel and fill up the form.
2. Go to the line corresponding to the letter of your surname
Ex. Juan Cruz – go to Letter C
3. Pay the corresponding amount. You will receive an Official Receipt
4. Sign up in the attendance sheet
5. Get conference Kit (ID/Food Stubs)
6. Proceed to Conference Room

Your Certificate of Attendance will be given on the DAY 2 of the conference. You will have to show your Official Receipt.

I am an ASP member but have not paid my annual dues. Can I still avail of the members’ package on site?

ASP membership privileges apply to “updated” members only. Members’ discount during the on-site registration does not apply. ON-SITE MEMBERSHIP application will only be entertained at 12NN onwards. Please proceed to the MEMBERSHIP table.
Are there ABB souvenir items available?

Yes! Order your Limited Edition ABB T-shirts now! It’s only Php200. You can wear it together with the Angel Baller Bands.

Be an Angel for Autism. Wear your complete gear to the conference and show them that Hope Prevails! Call 7-903-5496 or click here to request for bulk orders.

For more information on the conference, click here to visit the Autism Beyond Borders website.

STEPS for MEMBERSHIP application
Look for the ASP membership table
Pay for your membership fee.
Make sure you ask for your official receipt upon payment.

Aside from getting conference discounts, you also get discounts for ASP’s monthly seminars, subscription to ASaP e-newsletter, subscription to ACAP newsletter, and updates of ASP activities via i-Blast. And most important of all, your ASP membership is your contribution to improving the lives of families dealing with autism.

I’m interested to attend the October 26-27 Post-Conference Workshops. Can I also register there?

Yes! We will accept payments for the Post Conference Workshops. Apply for membership and get discounts! Inquire at the Membership table.

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Posted in: conference

Seizing Seizures

Dr. Madeleine Sosa

Madeleine Grace Matibag-Sosa, MD is a Pediatric Neurologist. She is the current President of the Child Neurology Society Philippines, Inc. and a member of the Child Neurology Specialty Board. She is also Faculty & Consultant, Department of Pediatrics of De La Salle Health Sciences Campus, Dasmarinas , Cavite. She is both Chairperson of the Department of Pediatrics at Pasay City General Hospital and Ospital ng Muntinlupa Medical Center, Alabang.

Dr. Sosa was tasked to oversee the training group of Task Force L.A.Y.A. (Loving All Youth-At- Risk) which plan of action is the conduct of a survey to determine the prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities among children in Cavite. The Task Force also resolved for this plan of action to be evaluated by the government sector as far as effectiveness and enrichment needs are concerned.

During her speech at the Philippine League against Epilepsy last May, Dr. Sosa said, "Epidemiological studies need to be pursued for us to determine the epilepsy burden, not only to persuade our government to assign high priority to epilepsy care in the country, but also to serve as guide to future health-policy decisions."

Some children with autism also develop seizures like in children with epilepsy. In the Autism Beyond Borders Conference Dr. Sosa will explain why seizure disorders, compulsions, aggression and insomnia are frequently observed in children and adolescents with autism. Best local medical practices in the prevention and management of these co-morbidities will be discussed.

Dr. Sosa will be the alternate speaker for Dr. Knut, who is unable to attend the Autism Beyond Borders conference due to health reasons.

We wish him well.

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Posted in: conference