By Irene Cortez, mother of a person with autism
In this age of vast and rich information through the internet, I could say I’ve already read and exhausted almost every article that touches on the autism subject: learning more about its cause and finding references or self-help tools for my son, who was discovered at age four to have PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified), albeit mild form of autism.
While surfing the net one evening, I was brought to
Autism Society Philippines Official Facebook Page and browsed through it until dawn. There I learned about the vast experiences of families of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and empathized with them. I discovered much valuable information a parent should know in rearing a child in this spectrum.
Most importantly all these experiences are locally based. I realized too that there are certain rights and privileges a special child should enjoy that would somehow ease the financial stress that go along with raising a child with autism.
I was so happy to find the head office of Autism Society Philippines in Quezon City. Right there and then I decided to be a member of this organization and signed up for the Family Support Group last Sept 17, 2011. It was an experience that I would never forget. Somehow felt comfortably good about the co-parents that I have met for the first time and gathered new insights from their shared experiences. I too was able to share my own family’s journey.
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| FSG Participants |
My little boy is neither passive or aggressive, nor hyperactive. He’s exceptionally good looking, very sweet and affectionate. However, his world revolves only around himself, his parents, older brother and his toys without any verbal communication and no social interaction. He loves to jump and flaps his arms whenever he’s happy and gets excited. He covers both ears with both hands for no specific reason.
My husband and I immediately sought professional help upon receiving his diagnosis and luckily found MB Therapy Center, a school for children with special needs, just within our vicinity. My son is now 7 and is in pre-school. He attends regular speech therapy and may require some behavior modification therapy, as recommended by his teachers and developmental pediatrician. We recognize and accept the tremendous effort that lies ahead. Hopefully, with our unconditional love and God’s grace, he will reach his full potential.
ASP is a welcome addition to my family and can be very promising partner in this exciting journey. We look forward to having an ASP Chapter in Taguig City and in our own little way, serve together with a common purpose in our community.
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Be an Angel for Autism. Donate generously to ASP Programs and Services. Donate to Autism Society Philippines Metrobank Kamias Branch 047-3-04751874-2. Email us at autismphils@gmail.com or call 7-903-5496.
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