The warm breeze of summer inspired the ASP Diliman moms to try another activity for Summer 2014. ASP Diliman spearheaded a Walk and Art Camp in UP Diliman last May 15, 2014 for Teens with Autism (TWAs) Jason Inanuran, JV Legarto, Macky Palomares and Vincent Benoza, together with their supportive moms and siblings. These boys braved the afternoon heat to the enthusiastic cheers of their moms, siblings and the UP SPED Soc volunteers.
 |
| PWAs and volunteers from the UP SPED SOC |
The canopy of acacia and caimito trees around the UP College of Human Kinetics (CHK) shaded the young men in their sketching activity, as warm-up before the walk. Mom Len Inanuran prompted the boys to draw ‘what they see.’ True to the spirit of youth, they drew not only trees, but also the blazing sun, clear blue skies, walking people and even the passing buses along Commonwealth Avenue. After the sketching, volunteers from the UP SPED SOC guided them in the warm up exercises and finally their walkathon. Indeed, the boys have grown up as teens with strong stamina to finish the 2.2 kilometer UP Academic Oval.
Mommy Resy commented that the Walk and Art Camp showed how well these teeners have matured over the years. They can follow instructions better, showing improvement in their mental faculties and fine motor skills. Gone are the days when their hands were guided to correctly hold pencils or crayons. Their drawings correctly showed the recognizable features of trees, people, and clouds, among others. This is a big contrast to the doodles and dots of yesteryears. As expected, they wore big smiles as their photos were taken side by side with their art work and their peers. Gone are the reclusive boys who did not care about others or “walang pakialam sa mundo.” They borrowed and shared crayons with one another.
After the walk, it was delightful to hear them say “pagod na at gutom na.” They can now correctly express their feelings. They showed confidence in themselves as they enjoyed climbing the tree house, and playing in the swing, seesaw, monkey bars, balancing rails, among others.
From the successive summer sessions of swimming, basketball, soccer and now walking, these TWA’s have grown up to be young men with robust bodies, strong hands and feet, and good eye and body coordination. But more importantly, they have peers whom they trust and call friends.
A Father’s Day lunch get-together held last June 14, 2014 culminated the 2014 summer for ASP Diliman where the kids played basketball and enjoyed lunch with their parents.
About the Author. Resy Benoza is the PRO of ASP Diliman Chapter
Posted in: 
0 comments:
Post a Comment