A message from President Benigno S. Aquino

Pres. Noynoy Aquino

My warmest greetings to the Autism Society Philippines as you hold the Philippine National Autism Conference 2013.

Autism affects many Filipino families, and its prevalence here and worldwide calls for a more proactive campaign for awareness among our peoples. Coping with Autism Spectrum Disorder poses a difficult challenge to parents and family members; associations such as yours continue to lend them strength and guidance. Let this gathering serve as a laboratory of interaction and collaboration that provides you a support system and enlightens you on matters you seek to address. Hand in hand, let us build a nurturing environment that will further hone the skills and talents of ASD-afflicted members as they take their place as productive members of the community.

We in government share your aspiration for a just, equitably progressive Philippines that fully accepts, understands, and supports all citizens. Rest assured that we stand with you every step of the way, as we pursue programs and reforms that address the dynamic needs of our citizenry. We look forward to the success of this conference, and may this gathering yield a more driven and passionate collective that is sworn to protect and empower the vulnerable sectors of society.

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President
Republic of the Philippines

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Posted in: government,nac

Top reasons for attending the National Autism Conference

By Dang Koe
October 21, 2013

There are five reasons why I should attend the National Autism Conference on October 26 and 27 and help make a difference not only for my son and my family but also for others.

First of all, I should attend the confab because I am a parent. I have a son whose life is full of mystery and challenges. I have two other children and relatives who also need support in living with a family member who has autism.

As parents, we should not stop learning about breakthroughs in medicine, new laws, emerging trends in behavior management and other things that would make our sons or daughters become better persons. In Davao City where I work and reside, not all families have the luxury of time or money to go to Manila. Hence, attending this conference would give me an opportunity to share information and give advice to other families as well.

I am sure that parents will benefit from the discussion on “Autism Redefined: The Implications of Redefinition of ASD in DSM5 on Diagnosis and Prevalence” by Dr. Alexis Reyes, one of the top developmental pediatricians in the Philippines. There is also a talk on “Medical Issues and Morbidities in Adult ASD” by Dr. Cornelio G. Banaag, Jr., chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at The Medical City. Another very interesting topic is “The Truth about Stem Cell Therapy and Autism” by Dr. Antonio Dans, a professor and health advocate. I do hope his talk will give light to parents who are contemplating on trying this procedure on their child. Another important and practical topic is on “The Dental for a Person with Autism” by the executive director of the Pediatric Dentistry Center Philippines, Dr. Manuel V. Vallesteros, DMD.

Secondly, I should attend the autism conference because I am an educator. I am always a firm believer that one can learn a thing or two from resource speakers and from teacher-participants. By empowering myself with information, I hope I can share and update other teachers in Davao City on best practices in special education and keep their flames of commitment burning with compassion for students with special needs. The ASP lined up interesting topics for teachers. “Dance Therapy” will be discussed by Ana Rivera who has a diploma course in Special Education, a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and has had training in dance therapy in Wichita, Kansas. I am also curious about “Yoga for Sensory Integration” by Anna Escay-Cortez, a family and community yoga teacher certified by Kidz Yoga-Australia and Rainbow Kids Yoga. Vicente Rubio, diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, will talk on “Building Successful Life Skills Strategies for Young People on the Autism Spectrum.” Rubio, director of Pathfinder Mentoring, currently designs and teaches alternative PE classes for students with autism and other social, behavioral, and academic challenges in public and private schools.

My third reason for attending the conference is because I am a columnist and writer for persons with autism. It is my personal responsibility to equip myself with facts and useful information from experts and professionals to be able to write reliable articles about autism. I hope I will be able to contribute in increasing the level of awareness and acceptance of individuals with autism, in my own simple way, by sharing knowledge gained from the conference. I am confident that the topic on “Autism in Media” will help me appreciate more my role as a SunStar Davao columnist. Prominent personalities who will join panel discussions include Karen Davila, an award-winning Filipino broadcast journalist and mother of a child on the spectrum; Atty. Anna Teresa Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Films; and journalist Ivy Lisa Mendoza.

The fourth reason why I always find the Philippine National Autism Conference worth attending is because I am a member of the Autism Society Philippines. It is a good experience to mingle with and learn from other parents who are ASP members, through an exchange of stories on parenting and teaching children with autism. It is also a way of getting recharged when you are aware that there is an ASP family whose members give genuine support and understanding to one another. I look forward to listening to parent-panelists on “How Families of Adults with Autism are Preparing for the Future” and self-advocates on “Challenges Adults with Autism Face in the Philippine Society.”

Last but not the least, I should attend the autism conference because I am an advocate of persons with autism and their families. Like other parents, I may have landed on this advocacy because of my son, but there are countless Filipino individuals affected with autism who need other people’s voices to express their needs and aspirations. By attending the confab, I affirm this commitment to actively involve the community in providing an inclusive environment for persons with autism. Two other parents living with autism will surely inspire me. They are Amor Maclang, founding director of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, Inc. who will talk on “Turning Families with Autism to Advocates,” and Ormoc City’s former mayor Engr. Eric Codilla on “Local Government – Bridging the Gap for PWA Inclusion.” Based on their actual experiences, Prof. Apollo Abelardo I. David, Jr., founder of Independent Living Learning Centre will moderate on “Employment and Livelihood for Adults on the Spectrum,” while Unilab Foundation’s senior vice president Rhodora Fresnedi will talk about “Advocating Inclusive Employment.”

I feel that my attendance in the 13th Philippine National Autism Conference will just be a thin, shining ray of this Hope for “A” Nation (theme for this year). But I pray that it can radiate a special glow and warm the hearts of people who live, love and care for individuals with autism.

Ms. Jane Gonzales

(The angel talker/writer is Jane Anne S. Gonzales, a SunStar Davao columnist, the school director of Independent Living and Learning Center – Davao, a staunch autism advocate, and most of all, the mother of 22-year old Jan who has autism. For more details about the conference, visit http://bit.ly/philnac2013.)

This article appeared in print and online versions of the Manila Bulletin on 21 October 2013, under the by-line of Dang U. Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus.

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Posted in: angels-talk,nac

A Special Intimate Encounter with the Stingrays

A Special Encounter with PWDs and family

Ten families families from different ASP chapters spent a memorable weekend at the Photography With A Difference (PWD) event at Manila Ocean Park entitled “a Special Intimate Underwater Encounter @ MOP.” Together with fifty more families from other PWD Organizations, the children and their parents had the unique opportunity to touch and to swim with the stingrays and some sharks for those who can dive. After each organization’s turn, the kids still were able to swim in the two side pools and bond with their parents. Snacks were also served while waiting for the tour of the Oceanarium.

One of the guests was Ms. Ara Mina, who has a sister with Down Syndrome. Some participants were also able to see the sea lions pass in going to their show. Free tickets to enter the Oceanarium were also given to the families. The families were also able to take home with them a souvenir photo, Canon caps and ballpens. Selected photos from the event taken by selected photographers will be included in a photo exhibit in Manila Ocean Park in the near future.

ASP participants are thankful to the staff of Manila Ocean Park, Canon Philippines, Photography With a Difference (PWD) group especially Sir John Chua, for making this memorable day possible.

“First time naming maka encounter ng stingray. At first natakot kasi dahil sa buntot nya, sabi kasi delikado pero na explain naman nila na ok kasi na trim na nila kaya harmless na yung stingray. Tapos dahil mahilig pumunta sa paanan namin ni Ian yung stingray kaya biglang nagpakarga ang anak ko. Masaya naman kasi at least nakapag swimming din ang mga bata sa side pools kahit mababaw lang. Tuwang tuwa din si Ian na nakapasok sa Oceanarium kasi maraming nakitang fish. Ayaw na nga umalis dun.” – Agnes Buico

“Sobrang enjoy ni Paolo and first time nyang nakapunta sa Ocean Park. Thank you sa Autism Society Philippines and Manila Ocean Park at iba pang sponsors.” – Jean Gonzales

“Para sa aming mga magulang na may anak na merong disability, ang event na ito ay napakahalaga. Sapagkat kami ay nagkaroon ng oras na eksklusibo na para lang sa akin at sa anak kong may kapansanan na kasama ang mga katulad kong special parents dahil kaming mga dumalo ay ngakakaintindihan sa puso. Habang ang event ay nagaganap, ang aming mga anak ay nakakilos ng malaya ng walang paghuhusga na galing sa ibang tao na di nakakaintindi at walang alam sa kondisyon ng aming anak. Kaya kaming lahat mapa anak at magulang ay talagang nag enjoy, natuto at nabusog. Kaya ako ay buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa nag organize ng event na ito at sa venue ng event na Manila Ocean Park dahil nagkaroon ng chance ang aking anak na si JC na me educate at magka encounter ng Stingray. Isa itong napakaganda at kakaibang experience na hindi malilimutan na binigay ninyo sa aming mga anak.” – Charlotte Santos

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Posted in: canon,chapters,community

Autism in Media

THE ACCALIMED HBO film ‘Temple Grandin’ is a good exploration of what goes on in an autistic mind.

By: Dang U. Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus

A quick search of #autistic on Facebook or Twitter will show you a long list of updates which use the word as an insult or joke.

Mag Cruz Hatol, secretary general of Anak TV — an organization that is at the forefront of media education efforts and campaign to promote responsible and child-sensitive television — opined on what this phenomenon means for Filipinos as a society.

“Philippine media is replete with stereotyping for as long as we can remember. Actors and directors milked laughter from audiences through comic and oftentimes insulting performances that were shamelessly prejudiced against physical deformities and mental deficiencies. In fact, local media perpetuated the idea that if people who were physically or mentally challenged were not to be pitied, they were to be made objects of laughter,” said Hatol.

Furthermore, he said that it was media, more than anything else, which swayed the Filipino mind into thinking and accepting what was portrayed for them as “the normal.”

“It does not surprise therefore, that in small villages, one gets known by little monikers that point to peculiar traits of his physique. Consequently, the disabled either became the brunt of painful jokes (painful on the part of the subject), source of cheap entertainment (again at the expense and embarrassment of the subject) or because they were considered “punishment” for their parents’ former sins, were shackled or kept away from public view. Keeping them indoors meant avoiding the snickers of the community and lessening the chatter of neighbors who always conjectured that having bred children who bore some form of disability was nature’s way of exacting vengeance on the family for its infractions,” he added.

Angels Talk asked members of Autism Society Philippines what media professionals can do to build an honest and compassionate public perception of autism.

Len Macasaquit, mother of a 10-year old girl with autism, believes that “truthful, honest and more complete depiction of what people with autism go through should be pursued. Enough with physical manifestations as focus but instead explore what goes on in an autistic mind.” The HBO film “Temple Grandin” is a good example of what goes on in an autistic mind.

Raissa Marian Cruz suggested “more documentaries and interviews of families of persons with autism (PWA), instead of the usual portrayals in mainstream movies and TV series.”

Independent director, writer and researcher Mirana Medina describes her documentary “ALYANA” as a “concrete example of a film on autism that fully recognizes the PWA’s being; it tells the audience who they really are through testimonies of their primary caregivers, as well as through information coming from people directly handling them or working for their welfare. The shared experiences evoke empathy that leads to a better understanding of the PWA’s condition, and greater appreciation of their presence in society.”

Medina focuses her work on special children and persons with disability.

“It is my advocacy as part of a personal journey to make educational and informative films about them with the major aim of breaking attitudinal barriers. With that in my heart, any film form that I’ll shape up I know will, in turn, help shape the public perception of my subject. That way, I have the heavier role of making the society understand their condition, recognize their BEING and their potentials, NOT to pity but welcome them instead to the fold.”

She also agrees with another autism advocate, JC John Sese Cuneta, that “media professionals should first do proper and extensive research about autism spectrum before writing their reports or a new film/TV series.” This brings to mind a lot of pseudo-autistic TV/film characters that can mislead people about understanding autism.

Wikipedia reports that “television programs featuring characters with autism or characteristics stereotypical of autism spectrum disorders have become commonplace, most notably in sitcoms. Series such as “The Big Bang Theory” have been criticized for their depictions of characters with ASD traits as whimsically detached, one-dimensional characters.” On the other hand, recent TV-series characters with autism were given super powers! Jake of “Touch” who never says a word but can predict future events, and Gary Bell of “Alphas” who processes information as fast as any computer.

But even with well-researched TV shows/movies, autism cannot be pinned down by just one well-portrayed autistic character. People have to also understand that while we have a near-genius “Temple Grandin,” a Raymond Babbitt (from the famous movie “Rain Man”) with savant abilities in Math and memory, we also have Dafu from “Ocean Heaven” who struggles to learn basic tasks, and the non-verbal Charlie from “Black Balloon” who strips half-naked while running in the neighborhood.

As another ASP member Chel Gan wrote, “PWAs can be as varied as any group of people, which is exactly what media needs to show.”

Finally, advocate mom Aileen Ni pleads for her 20-year old son: “Media, including social media, must help in promoting public awareness about autism. Netizens should be sensitive not to use words like “abnoy, autistic” to associate with corrupt and evil public servants. Every medium must be used not to malign but to advocate for them.” And this is exactly what ASP’s online campaign “1Pangako” calls for. (http//:bit.ly/1pangako)

***

Mag Cruz Hatol and Mirana Medina will join Atty. Anna Teresa Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Films and GMA Network assistant corporate secretary; Ivy Lisa Mendoza, journalist and 2013 Gawad Apolinario Mabini Awardee for PWD Media Advocate; and Karen Davila, ABS-CBN news anchor and correspondent, as moderators during a panel discussion on “Autism in Media” at the 13th Philippine National Autism Conference.

Themed “Hope for ‘A’ Nation,” the confab on Oct. 26 and 27 will tackle issues and experiences relevant to an autism community that is striving for acceptance and inclusion in Philippine mainstream society.

The event is designed to provide information on developments relevant to allied medical professionals, social servants and community workers who work with autism. Most importantly, the event was created for the growing community of parents, family members and individuals on the autism spectrum who are seeking answers, quality support and fellowship. For more details, visit http://bit.ly/philnac2013.\

This article appeared in print and online versions of the Manila Bulletin on 7 October 2013, under the by-line of Dang U. Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus.

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Posted in: angels-talk

Kaakibat ng ASP-QC Credit Cooperative Launched

The Kaakibat ng ASP-QC Credit Cooperative is a newly-formed cooperative that hopes to help members with providing loans to families with autism, encourage savings and eventually provide employment to their special children.

The cooperative was launched last 05 August 2013 at the Pahiyas Function Hall of National Power Corporation. A Pre-membership seminar was also held on the same day. Kaakibat ng ASP QC Credit Cooperative was formed by member-parents of ASP QC chapters – Commonwealth, Cubao, Diliman, Lagro, Novaliches.

Ms. Riza speaking in front of the participants during Kaakibat ng ASP-QC Credit Cooperative Launch

Ms. Rizalinda Cansanay, the Board Chair of the Kaakibat ng ASP-Laguna Cooperative, was the guest speaker and she spoke of the Laguna experience since their founding 8 years ago, and how their coop has helped many of their children hold jobs in their community. Ms. Vay Chavez, KASP-Laguna General Manager also talked on their day-to-day operations.

Ms. Cansanay led the swearing in of the cooperative officers: (Chairperson) Jo Palomares, (Vice-Chairperson) Juan Luna, (Directors) Alice Foronda, Odette Goze, Dra. Marie Segui, (Secretary) Mayette Tan, (Treasurer) Baby Tan, (General Manager) Len Inamuran, (Bookkeeper) Linda Legarto, (Committee Chairs) Mayang Pascual, Juan Palafox, Lilian Taroy, Bevs Gamez, Maricel Agustin and Mrs. Pinili.

ASP National Trustees -- Chair Emeritus Erlinda Koe, President Janette Peña, Vice President Cecile Sicam, Treasurer Evelyn Go, Trustee Perlita So and former Trustee Tiffany Tan -- were present to support this milestone in PWA family empowerment.

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Posted in: 4parents,chapters,cooperative