Best Practices and Evidence-Based Interventions for Autism

ASP hosted a seminar on Best Practices and Evidence-Based Interventions for Autism at the Bridges Foundation last 27 June 2015, with speakers Ms. Maria Ruth Mirandilla and Ms. Maria G. Aguila -- both teachers based in California. Thirty-four parents and teachers attended the seminar.

Participants attending Best Practices and Evidence-Based Interventions for Autism seminar

Ms. Ruth shared two kinds of Understanding Autism to participants and discussed the differences. She also talked about the impacts and problems especially communications which needs to be improved when having conversations for people to learn how to make friends. Ms. Maria spoke about repetitive behaviors which children do the same actions as they resist learning to move on. She presented about the processing on how difficult they learn in situations of people with autism as well.

Teacher Ruth gave a presentation about teaching children, structure and benefits on how to teach them to be more independent. Even, physical structures were given to do routines as to be more attentive and teach them lessons. Ms. Maria showed types of schedules and objects of her students to see how they sequence, arrange, make symbols and other tasks to learn.

There were many kinds of tasks to be taught for children to be done for them to know how sensory they follow instructions, obey, as well as to answer questions. Ms. Ruth had a discussion about symbols for teachers to know how to present tasks to do. Pictures of symbols were shown as the clue for kids to arrange them in order as they faced challenges.

One of the speakers presented about how Autism Spectrum Disorder caused and when was it diagnosed. Having ASD could be difficult because minds can not absorb good lessons specially important ones. Ms. Maria also showed two kinds of difficulties on what emotions they needed to be taught.

One of the speakers let one of the participants read the line of communications. They let participants discuss about their experiences on handling children / students with autism by groups in each tables. One of the participants in each tables shared about their experiences as they showed talents of special people.

“The seminar is very informative. The speakers are very generous in giving their own ideas and own materials they used in their school. I learned so much from their sharings.”

“The speakers discussed topics that are very useful and very helpful information and strategies and where we can get them. The venue’s nice and comfortable.”

“Everything that was discussed was very helpful. They were very nice and accommodating in answering questions. The speaker did their best in delivering each topic is a nice place and very conducive to our learning. I enjoyed and & learned so much in this seminar.”

About the contributor: Lloyd Ngo worked as an ASP intern when he attended Independent Living and Learning Center. He began working in 2012 as an encoder at the Ongkiko Manhit Custodio and Acorda Law Offices in Makati. He is currently ASP’s Program Assistant for Communications.