ASP Baguio advocates with the Department of Health

ASP Baguio’s Immediate Chapter Past President Jennifer M. Gundran and its current Chapter President Belette N. Vizcocho served as resource speakers at a Disability Sensitivity Training conducted by the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Regional Office last 21 April 2016 at The Prince Plaza, Legarda Road, Baguio City. Participants of the training included City and Provincial PWD Coordinators, Health Promotion Officers and some DOH Representatives and Physicians.

Before starting with her presentation, “Understanding Autism,” Jenny Gundran briefly introduced Autism Society Philippines, its vision, mission and advocacies. She also made mention of ASP’s 1Pangako Campaign which aims to stop the use of the word “autistic” as a joke or an insult. Her presentation included a definition of autism, signs and symptoms, prevalence and the difficulties experienced by children/persons with autism. She also discussed Philippine myths about autism.

Jennifer Gundran presents DOH

Belette Vizcocho gave a short presentation on autism and the various potential comorbidities, describing briefly the difficulties associated with ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Global Developmental Delay, in addition to the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

At the end of the presentation, a few questions were raised during the open forum regarding the availability of developmental pediatricians in the city and the different forms of therapy and programs needed by persons with autism. We informed the audience that we have two developmental pediatricians – Dr. Millicent Fronda De Vera who is based here in Baguio and Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta who is based in Manila but makes monthly visits to Baguio and runs A Child’s Dream Therapy Clinic. There are other private therapy centers in the city as well, catering to persons with special needs.

In closing, we mentioned ASP’s thrust at not only spreading a better awareness and understanding of autism but also working at promoting an inclusive society where persons with autism are socially accepted, independent and productive members of the community.

About the contributor. Isabelita Vizcocho is a graduate of architecture from UST, manages Jet Bookstore in Baguio City. She is married to Noli Vizcocho, a founding chapter president of ASP Baguio, who is currently the chapter president, have 4 grown up daughters and an only son, Josef, who is now 23 and was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4, a graduate of HRRM, presently a casual employee at the Baguio Country Club.