Senator Santiago files Autism Management Act

By Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary.

Senator Miriam Santiago introduced another bill on autism last February 23, 2012. The proposed Senate Bill 3133 is an Act providing for the identification, assessment and education of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Senator Miriam Santiago

The proposed bill is in accordance with Article 2 Section 15 of the Constitution, which says that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

What is unique about the proposed act is the appointment of an Autism Ombudsman who will develop best practice guidelines for the educational assessment and interventions of CWAs from 3 years of age.

Senate Bill 3133 will include programs that will be designed to meet the educational needs of CWAs, review of existing special education services; research on the prevalence of autism, reporting and evaluation of existing programs to educate the youth about autism.

Included among others are diagnostic and evaluation services and training for selected public school teachers. An appropriation of 50 million pesos is included in the annual budget of Department of Education.

Yesterday, February 28, the bill had its first reading and was referred to the committees on health and demography, education arts and finance.

Senator Santiago also filed other bills on autism, Senate Bill No. 1644 or the Advisory Committee on Autism in Infants and Toddlers and Senate Bill 1626 or the Autism Early Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment Act. 2012 Senate Bill 3133

Posted in: government