At the Cusp of ASP's Third Decade

As the Autism Society Philippines breaches its historic third decade, the national leadership was challenged to take our advocacy to the next level. ASP has pondered on the traditional view of our organization as a mere family support group or a recipient of charity; and has chosen to redefine itself. We embraced our strength, our numbers and our reach to impact policy and to develop programs that will directly benefit children and adults with autism. All this stands true to our vision of creating a society where Filipinos with autism become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive and socially-accepted members of an Autism OK-Philippines.

Top Row L-R Evelyn Go, Helen Cheng, Dang Koe, Mona Veluz, Ces Sicam, Chrissy Roa

Bottom Row L-R Grace Adviento, Joy Ofrecia, Peng So, Carmel Almendrala, Marivic Ramos

Here are the highlights of the accomplishments of ASP in the last five years leading up to the 30th anniversary of the ASP's foundation.

1 MEMBERSHIP. Our ranks have grown from the original 11 mothers in 1989 to approximately 13,000 members today, composed of persons with autism, parents, family members, professionals and supporters. The number of active ASP members jumped 34 percent between 2015 and 2018. Notably, we are seeing an increase in number of persons with autism who are engaging in the ASP advocacy -- from less than 1 percent in 2010 to 6 percent of our membership base by the end of 2018.

2 CHAPTERS AND CIRCLES. From 70 chapters in 2015, the ASP is now 97 chapters strong, validating our strength in the grassroots. In 2018, we have clustered the chapters into four groups: Metro Manila-Rizal, North Luzon, South Luzon and Visayas-Mindanao -- each headed by a Cluster Head. This governance system allows chapters to be able to connect, get guidance and access the same tools and opportunities wherever they are in the country.

The ASP Self-Advocacy Circle was formed in 2018 to bring the voices of persons with autism together, as a positive force of change in Philippine society. The group is composed of adults with autism. The first set of officers elected are: Ian Lopez (President), Carl Veluz (Vice President, External), Paul Matthew Somera (Vice President, Internal) and Pia Cabanero (Vice President, Communications)

3 PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS. Monthly parent training, sensitivity training for the general public and family support group sessions have been the cornerstone of ASP's service to the community for decades -- the new programs outlined below have taken us beyond our original scope. Many programs and projects, after being piloted on a limited scale, have grown to a national level.

3.1 ASP Angels Walk for Autism is an annual advocacy event that has been held since 2007. It has grown from 200 to 24,000 registered participants in 2018. Aside from Metro Manila, the Angels Walk for Autism has been held in 23 other cities: Bacolod (Negros Occidental), Baguio (Benguet), Cagayan de Oro (Misamis Oriental), Cebu (Cebu), Dagupan (Pangasinan), Davao (Davao del Sur), Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte), Dumaguete (Negros Oriental), General Santos (South Cotabato), Iloilo (Iloilo), Kalibo (Aklan), Legaspi (Albay), Lucena (Quezon), Naga (Camarines Sur), Ormoc (Leyte), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Roxas (Capiz), San Fernando (La Union), Tacloban (Leyte), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Valenzuela (Metro Manila), Virac (Catanduanes), Zamboanga (Zamboanga del Sur). Partners: SM Cares, SM Supermalls, National Council on Disability Affair (NCDA), Government Agencies, Provincial Governments, LGUs, Schools and Universities, Private Sector.

3.2 ASP 1Pangako started out in 2012 as a simple call for kindness over social media, hoping to end to discrimination, ridicule and bullying of persons with autism. In 2016, ASP launched the ASP 1Bansa 1Pangako campaign, during the National Autism Consciousness Week, raising awareness among public and private entities to make the promise towards an inclusive society. Partners: NCDA, Government Agencies, Provincial Governments, LGUs, Schools and Universities, Private Sector.
3.3 ASP Autism Works aims to build an Autism-OK Philippines by creating genuine, sustainable economic empowerment opportunities in compassionate workplaces nationwide. First launched in 2016 as an employment initiative, ASP's CBR-inspired model empowers PWAs and their families towards success at work and guides the enterprise towards a sustainable process of assimilating persons with autism into the workforce. Team members and leaders are given the necessary sensitivity training to guide them through the PWA employee’s tenure.
Aside from work placement, the program provides other productive opportunities:

• ASP AutisMALL Pilipinas is a virtual market place for products and services by and for persons with autism, managed by the Autism Society Philippines. This is a laboratory for budding entrepreneurs to bring their products to market. Visit: https://shopee.ph/autismphils
• ASP Employability Training bridges skills of PWAs to a level required by industry through coaching and hard skills training. Partners: Accenture (NCR), A Child's DREAM (Benguet), Autism Resource Center (Laguna), Communicare (NCR), Harvest of Hope (Quezon), Hopewell School (Cavite), ILLC (NCR), The Learning Center (NCR), Kite String Developmental Center (Cebu), RICAFI (Davao) and Workabilities (Iloilo)
• ASP Project ChocolatA (pronounced cho-ko-lat-'ey) is a sheltered workshop where persons with autism are trained in making chocolate truffles. The sales of these products sustain the salaries of the PWA staff. Partners: Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Henkel Philippines
• ASP Project GourmA (pronounced gur-'mey) showcases the abilities of individuals with autism in the food and restaurant industry, through dining experiences. Partners: College of Saint Benilde, Gourmet Gypsy

3.4 ASP HOMEpowerment offers therapy to children with autism and of parent training from indigent families. The program is typically composed of occupational, speech and non-traditional therapy sessions. Parents also receive training on how to continue their child's program, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to confidently care for their child with autism. Partners: Kiehl's Philippines, Quality Life Discoveries

3.5 ASP Autism Family Prayer Jamboree assembles families from ASP chapters nationwide for World Autism Awareness Day. Through heartfelt songs and recitations, persons on the spectrum and families who live and love with autism are joined in the empowering might of prayer, during the annual Autism Family Prayer Jamboree. The climax is the ceremonial lighting of the iconic Quezon Memorial Circle in blue light – in unity with many countries around the world that light up monuments and in the name of autism awareness. Partner: NCDA, LGU of Quezon City

3.6 ASP Angel Volunteer Corps is the volunteer arm of the society with approximately 1,000 registered members. The society conducts monthly ASP New Member and Volunteer Orientations to ensure member and volunteers are calibrated on our vision and values.

4 AWARDS AND NETWORKS. The Autism Society Philippines was among the pioneer members of the ASEAN Autism Network, which was established in December 2010 in Bangkok. ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe served as AAN's Chair from 2016 to 2018. Her service earned her the ASEAN Prize in 2018 for her work in improving the lives of people with autism and her role in uniting the various member countries under one vision, one identity and one community. The Autism Society Philippine received the Gat Apolinario Mabini Award as Outstanding Disability Advocacy Group in 2015. Partner: Asia-Pacific Development Center for Disability.

5 PUBLIC POLICY. The Autism Society Philippines engaged the Philippine Congress and the Philippine Senate in defining the country's plan in addressing the needs of Filipinos with autism and their families. We worked in technical working committees to harmonize various bills to create the National Autism Care Plan Bill, which we intend to revive when the next Congress resumes. We also supported the Speech Language Pathology Act, which serves to professionalize a previously unregulated discipline. The ASP is among the key movers contributing to the ASEAN Autism Mapping Project -- the first step towards the development of policies sensitive to the needs of the autism community in the Southeast Asian region. Partners: ASEAN Autism Network, Philippine Academy of Occupational Therapists, Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists, Philippine Society of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics, AKBAYAN.

May the next years bring continued strength to the ASP's advocacy and bring more partners to feed wind to our wings. To God be the glory!

ASP Board of Trustees 2017-2018

Mona Magno-Veluz (President, Trustee)

Chrissy Roa (Vice-President, Trustee)

Cecile Sicam (Secretary, Trustee)

Evelyn Go (Treasurer, Trustee)

Helen Cheng (Auditor, Trustee)

Grace Adviento (Trustee)

Carmel Almendrala (Trustee)

Joy Ofrecia (Trustee)

Marivic Ramos (Trustee)

Peng So (Trustee)

Dang Koe (Chair Emeritus)

About the contributor. Mona Magno-Veluz served as the National President of the Autism Society Philippines for two terms from 2015-2016 and 2017-2018. She received degrees in Business Administration, Applied Economics and Strategic Marketing from the University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Asia and the Pacific and the London School of Business. Drawing from her experience as a corporate communications and recruitment professional, she helped grow the national advocacy initiatives such as the 1Pangako, ASP Angel Corps, A-OK Philippines campaigns and the widely-successful ASP Autism Works economic empowerment initiative. She speaks publicly on disability advocacy, leadership, and genealogy. Mona is a wife and a mom to three kids. Her eldest, Carl, is an adult on the spectrum who, having finished an architectural short course, is active in the community, volunteering, and working on his entrepreneurial ventures.

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Posted in: accomplishments,leaders,programs,report

Seminar on Behavior Modification at Home and School

March 9, 2019

8:30am - 12:00nn

About the Speaker:

Ms. Barbra Paguia

Barbra Angela Dans Paguia graduated Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education / Minor in Special Education, College of Education at the University of the Philippines year 1984. She has units in Masters in Family Life and Child Development, College of Home Economics in the same school, year 1992. She worked for University of the Philippines, UP Integrated School, College of Education as Instructor 1 - Early Grades Teacher from 1985-1988 and became Instructor 1 as Preschool SpEd Teacher at the University of the Philippines, Department of Family Life Child Development, College of Home Economics from 1988-1992.

Teacher Baba as she fondly called is the Co-Founder and currently the Program Coordinator and Director of Bridges Foundation, Inc. She is also the Co-Founder of Links Learning Center (Pre-school).

• Co-Presentor: Mabuhay: Augmentative Alternative Communication Arrives in The Philippines, ” 16th Annual Conference of Closing the Gap, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., October 25, 1998

• Speaker/Lecturer for Bridges Foundation, Inc. and by invitation various Institutions on the following topics (1992 – 2011) :
- On Special Education: Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Individuals with Special Needs
- On Special Education: Structured Teaching
- On Special Education: Behavior Modification
- Special Education: Teaching Beginning Reading, Writing and Math
- Special Education: Assessment , Individualized Educational Planning
- Special Education: Art Creativity for Special Children

• Workshop Speaker - Special Education 101 and Teaching Creativity , Early Childhood Education Seminars, University of the Philippines, Department of Family Life Child Development, College of Home Economics; Summers of 1989-1992

• Workshop Speaker - Teaching Creativity In the Early Grades; University of the Philippines, College of Education’s Annual Summer Program: Trends Integrated Approaches In Teaching The Early Grades; Summers of 2009-2016.

Seminar Fees:

Pre-Registration (until March 6 or until slot lasts)
ASP Member- P 500.00
Non-Member- P 600.00

On-site Registration
ASP Member- P 600.00
Non-Member- P 700.00

Seminar Details:
Date: 09 March 2019 , Saturday
Time: 8:30AM - 12:00NN
Venue: ASP National Headquarters, #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentabella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Pre-registered participants may pay to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please email the scan copy of your deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s and contact numbers to autismphils@gmail.com and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants or walk- in will be accepted depending on the availability of slots. There will only be 70 slots available. No refund will be given to participants who do not show up on the date of the seminar. For more details, please call ASP at 02-9035496.

The ASP Education and Empowerment Program serves as a platform to educate Filipino parents and professionals on the various interventions, modalities and theories surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their application and implementation are left at your discretion. The views and personal experiences of the speakers are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

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ASP Family Support Group for February 2019

ASPs monthly family support group sessions bring together parents, siblings and other family members to talk about their journey in living with autism. Participants share their experiences and draw enlightenment and strength from others going through the same challenges. We welcome members and non-members to this intimate gathering. New ASP members are encouraged to join.

Momie Peng with sons Patrick and Angelo

Our facilitator for this month is Ms Peng So. Momie Peng is a current ASP National Trustee. Peng juggles between being a full-time, hands-on-mom to her two gems on the spectrum, Patrick and Angelo; and, with her husband, empowering her other adult children in handling the family business. Peng has inspired many with her fortitude in guiding Patrick (who graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University) and Angelo (who undergoes functional life skills and pre-vocational training). By a fortunate stroke of serendipity, Peng was introduced to ASP and autism advocacy; and she has never looked back. Advocating for autism acceptance and inclusion has become a part of her daily agenda. She inspires others to think beyond the autism diagnosis and to enrich the lives of children with autism by gifting them with valuable life experiences.

Date: 16 February, Saturday
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Venue: Autism Society Philippines National Headquarters
Address: #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentebella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Sign up for the Family Support Group via the on-line form below or call +632 903.5496. Only 15 seats are available.

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Posted in: 4parents

Seminar on All you need to now about Autism

February 23, 2019

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects a child's ability to communicate and interact with others. Our speaker is Dr. Ermenilda Avendaño who will expound on the process of diagnosing autism. This is also ideal for parents of children newly diagnosed with ASD as Dr. Avendaño will include all the facts about autism that every parent should know and explain the different interventions and what can and should be done at home. Parents will have the opportunity to ask anything they have wanted to know about autism.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Ermenilda Avendano

Ermenilda L. Avendaño, MD, FPPS, FCNSP, FPNA, FPSDBP is a Child Neurologist and Neurodevelopmental Pediatrican.

She is currently the Chief of Child Neuroscience Division , the Section Head of Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics and a consultant in Child Neurology at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). She is also a consultant at the St. Luke’s Neurodevelopmental Center at St Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City. Dr. Avendaño is currently the Vice President of the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Dr. Avendaño graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Accelerated degree at the University of Santo Tomas. She obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Santo Tomas College of Medicine and had her postgraduate internship at the Santo Tomas University Hospital.

She had her Pediatric residency training at the Children's Medical Center Philippines and continued as Chief Resident after her 3 years' residency. She completed her fellowship in Child Neurology then proceeded to a fellowship ih Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

Dr. Avendaño had a visiting fellowship in Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics at Newcomen Centre, Guys Hospital, London. She trained for the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales at Tumbatin Clinic, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Australia.

Society Memberships:
Fellow, Philippine Pediatric Society
Fellow, Child Neurology Society Philippines
Fellow, Philippine Neurological Association
Fellow, Philippine Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

International:
Member, International Child Neurology Association
Member, Asian and Oceanian Child Neurology Association
Member, Association of Research in Infant and Child Development

Seminar Fees:
Pre-Registration (until February 19 or until slots lasts)
ASP Member- P 500.00
Non-Member- P 600.00

On-site Registration
ASP Member- P 600.00
Non-Member- P 700.00

Seminar Details:
Date: 23 February 2019, Saturday
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Venue: ASP National Headquarters, #9 11th Jamboree Street cor. Sct. Fuentabella, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Map: http://bit.ly/1LwgklB

Pre-registered participants may pay to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank, Kamias Branch Account Number 047-3-04751874-2. Please email the scan copy of your deposit slip with the name/s of participant/s and contact numbers to autismphils@gmail.com and bring it on the day of the seminar. On-site registrants or walk- in will be accepted depending on the availability of slots. There will only be 30 slots available. No refund will be given to participants who do not show up on the date of the seminar. For more details, please call ASP at 02-903-5496.

The ASP Education and Empowerment Program serves as a platform to educate Filipino parents and professionals on the various interventions, modalities and theories surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their application and implementation are left at your discretion. The views and personal experiences of the speakers are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

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Posted in: 4parents,4pros