Living with Autism: When Disaster Strikes Home

Super Typhoons Ondoy and Sedong can be a recurring nightmare for victims of families of children with autism. Escaping from the ravaging rains and floodwaters has proven the Filipino’s resiliency in the face of crisis.

The 12th National Conference and 2nd Southeast Asian Conference on Autism entitled “Living with Autism: Hope at Home” aims to promote, first and foremost, acceptance of autism within the family. It seeks to empower families to make informed decisions and to take bolder steps to ensure quality life for their members with autism.

Follow the survivors as they tell their travails and triumphs in the Panel Discussion: When Disaster Strikes Home.

Our Moderator

Maria Fellizar Cagay is the Managing Director of the Center for Disaster Preparedness Philippines. She works as a community-based disaster risk reduction consultant for the National Anti-Poverty Commission - Victims of Disasters and Calamities (NAPC-VDC), Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG), Local Government Academy (LGA), Disaster Risk Reduction Network Philippines (DRRNetPhils), UN - International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR), Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), World Vision, Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation (CDP) and the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC). Malu has more than 20 years of experience in development work and disaster risk reduction.

Our Panelists

Angie Abellanosa is a licensed chemical engineer with a degree from the Cebu Institute of Technology. A proud mother to two young adults with autism -- Cris and Carlo, Angie pursued post-graduate degrees in Special Education from the Mindanao University of Science of Technology. She continues to dedicate her time to the education of future SpEd teachers as a lecturer and facilitator at her alma mater, at the Pilgrim Christian College and at the Little Angels SpEd Center. She is the Chapter President of ASP Cagayan De Oro Chapter.

Alex Cabason Jr. is a graduate of AB Political Science from the University of the East Manila and of MA in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman. This public servant, church worker and a motivational speaker is happily married with four children. His youngest child, Victor Lorenzo or Vinz, now 13 years old, is on the spectrum. An ardent advocate of autism education since 2002, he is the President of ASP Marikina Valley Chapter. He has shared his experience and knowledge on understanding autism in various schools, private institutions and malls, most notably, SM. He is spearheading an effort to create a Memorandum of Agreement between the government (DILG, DSWD, DepEd, DOH) and disability groups (ASP, ADHD, DSAPI, CPAP) to bridge data gaps facing our sector and to institutionalize financial benefits for PWD’s and their families.

Mark Anthony T. Padil is a graduate of BS Physical Therapy from Our Lady of Fatima University in 2002. Since then, he was worked in many respected institutions working with individuals with autism, as a Behavior Therapist ABA / VB - Shadow Teacher in school, center and home-based environments. Aside from being a staunch autism advocate, he assists in emergency and disaster alleviation efforts and in the promotion of public safety, disaster-preparedness and community service of the REACT Philippines Inc. the Regional Emergency Assistance Communications Team under the REACT NCR-North Group and work in tandem with CRS-AFP Civil Relations Service - Armed Forces of the Philippines. Will also feature a disaster preparedness kit from RESCUE 72 Your Partner in Disaster Preparedness, it functions as a vest, a floater and a bag to contain food, clothing and shelter - the essential things you will need to survive for 72 hours, or until help comes.

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A special registration rate is available for a group of five (5) participants plus 1 FREE seat. Registrants may pay by depositing the payment to Autism Society Philippines, Metro Bank-Kamias Branch, Savings Account No. 047-3-04751874-2. Kindly fax to 7-903-5496 or email to the address below the deposit slip with the name/s of the participant/s. Click here to register online.

For more information of the conference, you may call us at telephone numbers 7-903-5496, mobile numbers (0917) 556-2075 / (0923) 638-3771 or email aspnc2012@gmail.com

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