Philippines ACTs for AUTISM NOW!

ASP National President Grace Adviento

By Grace Adviento, ASP National President, during the 4th Autism Awareness Celebration

"Act for Autism Now" is this year’s battle cry for the 4th World Autism Awareness Day Celebrations. Why "Act Now"? -because autism is considered the fastest rising developmental disability in the world. Adults and children with autism continue to face major challenges: stigma and discrimination, as well as a lack of access to support, multiple barriers, abuse isolation, and violation of their fundamental human rights.

But today calls for a celebration for autism issues are now answered.

ASP has grown from 11 mothers in 1989 to 47 Chapters nationwide. 3 more chapters will be inducted formally today, to make the big Five-O (50). An unprecedented growth is accomplished. Through the mentorship of our Chair Emeritus, Dang Koe, AUTISM ADVOCACY is ADDRESSED.

Mercury Drug Store will implement the 20% discount for medicines on May 1, click here for more details. This is welcome news is a big help to the children with autism who rely on daily maintenance of medicines. Through our advocates in Hon. Arturo Robes, House of Representatives, Commission on Social Services; and Hon. Walden Bello of AKBAYAN and our friends from the disability sector, AUTISM HEALTH issues are finally REALIZED.

High-tech learning software is now made available to at least 400 children with autism including other disabilities in P.Gomez Manila and P. Villanueva Pasay have access to alternative technologies. Through the partnership of Vizzle Technology, Globe Communications and DepEd, autism education issues are finally resolved.

This month, seminars on Handling Special Customers are respectively being conducted in SM Mall of Asia and SM Taytay, Rizal. Simultaneous exhibits Colors of A Spectrum - painting and photo exhibits at SM SM City Fairview, Quezon City and SM Supercenter, Pasig City. Talent shows at SM City Iloilo and SM City Dasmariñas and of course simultaneous Angels Walk for Autism of participating ASP Chapters in SM Supermall Branches. This made possible through SM Program on Disability Affairs. Through the ASP-SM partnership, our families and children with autism are empowered.

Today we also celebrate the formation of the ASEAN Autism Network, for an inclusive, rights-based and autism-friendly ASEAN community, with our mission is to support, assist, facilitate and enhance autism-related family support groups in collaboration with other stakeholders in the ASEAN region and globally. Autism awareness beyond borders is now a realized.

For the future of our children, let’s act for autism now!

Special thanks to our hardworking autism angels Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon, and staff Lanie, Cathy and Abby, our Board of Trustees, our Chapter Leaders, our members, parents, our partners, our supporters, volunteers, thank you for your unwavering support to our advocacy. Special thanks SM Programs on Disability Affairs, SM Supermalls, SM Prime, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), House of Representatives Committee on Social Services, Buhay Party List, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Katipunan ng May Kapansanan sa Pilipinas (KAMPI), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Education (DepEd) and Archdiocese of Manila Persons with Disabilities Ministry (AMO-PDM).

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