ABA Seminar-Workshops a Legacy for Parents of ASP Dipolog

By: Ma. Lizetta Manago, ASP Dipolog Chapter President

ASP Dipolog Chapter participated in a once in a lifetime opportunity with David Eisenhart, a Peace Corps volunteer from the USA who has a big heart. Eisenhart gave Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) seminar-workshops for free to teachers, parents, caregivers, occupational therapists and students of Master of Arts in Special Education from Dipolog City and Dumaguete City. The activities were held the Silliman University Library and at GPRehab in Dumaguete City last October.

David Eisenhart while having hands on training to a child with special needs

Parents from Dipolog City brought their children for the hands on training on October 18 to 23, 2010. They later learned that the first week’s seminar-workshop was for non-verbal children with autism. Having children who can imitate words and others having children who can read, this realization made them decide to join the second week’s seminar-workshop for verbal children with autism from October 25 to 29, 2010.

Participants get tips from David Eisenhart in handling children with autism

The seminars included series of lectures in the morning and hands-on-training with the children in the afternoon. Eisenhart made sure that each participant got to experience on how to handle the CWAs and apply what learned. Eisenhart generously a shared software called “Cookbook,” which he himself designed. This software serves as guide on how to handle the different issues of a special child, like establishing eye contact, learning to sit, getting control and over with head banging, trying to refrain from the biting habit, and many other useful tips to help directly involved caregivers, mothers and teachers.

Indeed, the meaningful event left a lasting impression in each of the participants’ hearts and minds. They acknowledged the special opportunity with humble appreciation to David for sharing his relentless skills and talents. The participants in turn promised to willingly extend assistance to children with special needs and to those who would sincerely show interest in learning ABA. David Eisenhart went back to the US leaving a legacy for ASP Dipolog Chapter.

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