ASP Autism Works shines in Los Baños

What started as a rainy cloudy day, turned out to be a vibrant session with job seekers from San Pablo, San Pedro, Calamba and Los Baños in Laguna last 31 August 2017.

Autism Works Project Manager discussed the background of the project

The ASP Autism Works Open House in Los Baños was led by ASP Laguna President Catherine Lopez, ASP Laguna VP and National Trustee Marivic Ramos, and ARC Director Lian Del Valle, assisted by ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz and ASP Angel Corps Volunteer Carl Veluz. The event kicked off with opening remarks from Ms. Cathy. Ms. Mona followed with a background on ASP Autism Works Career Placement Initiative and the opportunities we are currently recruiting for.

Applicants during the assessment session

During the assessments and interviews, parents of adults with autism expressed their apprehensions about riding public transportation independently, compassionate treatment of their children at work, and public acceptance of their working PWAs. While misunderstandings are always a possibility, the ASP Autism Works Program minimizes risks by educating the employer on how to help PWAs become successful and communicating to the general public the value of workers with autism.

Candidates with autism, whose ages varied from 19 to 32 years old, are encouraged to embrace opportunities for growth. This is the time to transition from their sheltered environment to a life of independence and self determination.

"While waiting for the "perfect job", it is important for adults with autism to have daily activities outside the home and to have regular engagements for work or recreation," advised ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz.

The Autism Resource Center in Intan Street, Sta. Fe Subdivision, Los Baños, Laguna shall provide assessment and job coaching services for applicants from Laguna. The team has vast experience in early intervention, life skills training and transition education.

The participants and their parents together with the Project Manager and Officers of ASP Laguna

The ASP Autism Works Open House series is happening all over the country - Quezon City, Davao, Los Baños, Cebu, Lucena, Iloilo and Parañaque. This project was made possible with the support of Cebu Pacific, Communicare Therapy Center, Inclusion Advoc8, Kitestrings Developmental Center, WorkAbilities, various ASP Chapters and media outlets like Cebu Daily News, Sun Star Cebu, ABS CBN Iloilo and ABS-CBN Cebu.

The Autism Society Philippines' Autism Works career placement initiative aims to build an autism-inclusive society, by creating genuine employment opportunities in compassionate workplaces for adults with autism. ASP's CBR-inspired employment model empowers PWAs and their families towards success at work, through careful profiling of candidates, customized job matching, job coaching training and partnership with respected transition specialists and employers. ASP cordially invites job-ready persons with autism to explore employment possibilities by sending their resume to autismphils@gmail.com.

Posted in: autism-works,chapters,employment,open house,regional,self-advocates