ASP Chair Emeritus Inspire 2012 UST Student Awardees

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

MANILA (ASP) -ASP Chair Emeritus, Dang Koe, gave an inspirational address to almost a thousands at the University of Sto. Tomas, during the 2012 UST Students Awards Day. The event was held at the college’s newly built Quadricentennial Pavilion last March 16, 2012. Student awardees were honored for their extra ordinary excellence in various fields.

Dang recalled that as a young college student, her plans were simple: to get a nice job in public relations, work her way up in the corporate ladder, receive fat salaries/perks and marry a well-off man, have 3 kids and live happily ever after.

“The Lord granted my wish, even though I was not praying hard then. But the Lord has other plans for me. He decided to give me a son, Gio, my first born, with autism. Do you know that for every 100 children now, one will be diagnosed with some form of autism? So that means, if we have 300 people here, 3 of you might have a child with autism.”

With almost one million Filipino families dealing with autism daily, Dang said she tries to prepare for a better future for her son, who will need lifetime supervision. “I realized my family cannot stay out of the big picture. So kinareer ko rin ang pagiging bongang-bongang pagiging autism advocate. (I made autism advocacy my career). I thank the Lord, that he helped me find my real purpose in life, before I turned 50.”

Earlier in her opening salvo, she said she was “super ingit” (really envious) of the student recipients because she had never received any special award as a college student of AB Communication Arts from the Faculty of Arts and Letters. But only 32 years later after graduation was she accoladed with the prestigious 2009 UST The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award for Humanitarian Service.

Her short and high impact inspirational speech was ended with a prayer for the awardees; that they may be good stewards of their God-given talents and for the Creator to grant them wisdomin finding their purpose in life.

Click here to watch video courtesy of ustream

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The 12th National and 2nd Southeast Asian Conference on Autism will be held on April 28-29, 2012, featuring interactive on-line interviews with Temple Grandin, one of Time Magazine’s 2010 “100 Most Influential People” and Stephen Shore, one of the co-authors of “Understanding Autism for Dummies”. Visit our Facebook page for more information.

Teachers handling autism get scholarship

PASIG CITY, March 14 -- Thirty special education teachers handling children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from across the country will have the chance to complete their scholarship program and update their skills on current trends in ASD, a statement from the department said.

The 2012 scholarship program for special education (SPED) teachers handling children with ASD will run from April 10 to May 5, 2012 at the Philippine Normal University in Manila.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the scholarship program is in support of the department’s thrust to improve the quality of education for children with ASD.

“We want to provide our teacher-scholars with knowledge and skills on various educational programs and keep them apace with advances in research and interventions for special learners,” added Luistro.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that causes problems with social interaction and communication. The symptoms usually become evident before age three and can cause delays or problems in many different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood.

DepEd is a signatory to the United Nations-initiated Education For All (EFA) campaign which aims to ensure quality basic education accessible to all learners. DepEd is currently implementing programs that embrace all kinds of learners under its inclusive education campaign. It has also strengthened its education-outreach programs for indigenous peoples, out-of-school children, youth and adults as well as learners in difficult circumstances by offering formal and alternative learning systems. (DepEd)

These SPED teachers have been the recipients of the 2011 scholarship program where they have organized programs and classes for children with ASD in their respective areas. They are also expected to render services for the agency for a minimum of two years after the training. (DepEd)

Acknowledgment: Philippine Information Agency
Teachers handling autism get scholarship

“Ako Bodong, Hindi Budoy!”

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

“Alam nyo, walang masama kung iba ka o may kulang sayo o may kapansanan ka. Ang importante, tanggap mo kung sino ka at kung ano ang pwede mong magawa sa iba,” a quote from the just concluded tele-serye, “Budoy”.

Bodong and Mom Telay

ASP interviewed one of the member-moms of ASP Diliman Chapter, she is also the Chapter's VP for External Affairs , Ms. Estela Echano or known to us as Mommy Telay and her son, Andre Benjamin Gaban aka Bodong, a young teen with autism. He related that schoolmates will sometimes call him Budoy, and that he would quickly clarify that he is his own person, and not to be confused with the TV fictional character with special needs. “Ako Bodong, Hindi Budoy!”. Presently, Bodong studies in Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) and is mainstreamed in grade 5.

Mom Telay believes children with autism have their own interests. She said it is up to the parents to help them explore what these interests are and provide avenues to develop their skills. She said these opportunities can be stepping stones towards independent living. Below are some practical parenting tips.

“Sinasali ko sya sa isang photography workshop, sa tulong ni sir John Chua at ASP National. Na-feature narin ang mga photos nya sa exhibit sa SM The Block. Nakapagvoice recital narin si Bodong ng “Ditei Moi,” isang French song mula sa South Pacific, sa tulong ni Teacher Greg de Leon.”

Andre Benjamin Gaban aka "Bodong"

Mom Telay says, like any other children, Bodong matured in the way he behaved toward others or related to other people. “His plans for their future include having a girlfriend and eventually marrying.” Mom Telay took this opportunity to teach him about being “pleasant” to women.

“Nagkaroon ng mga crush na 7 babae, so I taught him about personal hygiene, like how to use deodorant, facial cleanser, soap, perfumes and how to maintain one's health. I also explain to him about being a teen-ager and also answer his questions about sex.”

Aside from having crushes, Bodong has his share of bullies, but has learned to alert his teachers when he encounters them. “Sa school, natutong magsumbong si Bodong sa teacher kung siya ay binubully. Kamakailan, ikinuwento niya na may kumuha ng pera ang isang kaklase; mga pananakit ng mga classmates sa school at mga paraan ng pagbubully sa kanya. In fact, sinumbong niya sa mismong magulang ang ginagawa ng kaklaseng bully.”

Bodong has been seen accompanying his mother’s travels to Palawan, Western Visayas, Tacloban, Ifugao, Bicol, Olongapo and Pangasinan. Mom Telay used this opportunity to teach him about strangers and personal safety. “I also teach him how to protect himself, like when to say ‘That is not allowed’ to someone who might harass or hurt him physically.”

“Sabi ni Bodong, hindi siya Budoy, siya ay nag-iisang Bodong.” He has his own individuality and he enumerated the following: 1) magpaalam kung gagalawin ang gamit ko (ask for permission before touching or getting his personal items); 2) huwag akong kulitin at sisigawan (not to pester him or shout at him); 3) isa-isang utos lang; nakakalito pag maraming salita; (use simple instructions, not complex or compound sentences, it’s confusing) - which are basically what a regular teen-ager might ask from his parents.

“Like any typical teen-ager, they don't like to be scolded in front of other people. We should be patient in teaching our child with autism. There will come a time that all our efforts will be paid off,” reminded Mom Telay.

Acknowledgements: ASP Angel, Ms. Cathy Genovia, Bodong and Mom Telay for this article. To know more about ASP Diliman Chapter’s programs and services, contact Ms. Jo Palomares, ASP Diliman Chapter President, at (0922) 847 2776. If you have been inspired by this article, email us at autismphils@gmail.com.

Autism's Next Top Model

By DANG U. KOE, ASP Chair Emeritus

MANILA, Philippines — Heather Kusmich was fourth runner up of America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 9. At the beginning of the contest, some of the other contestants made fun of her awkward behavior. Heather has Asperger syndrome and ADHD.

But no one was bullying any of the models at the Special Collection 2012, held last March 2, at the UP Ang Bahay ng Alumni — even if all of them has special needs.

Our Angel Talkers — Landa A. Bautista, M.A.Ed., curriculum director of The Learning Center, Inc. and the show’s online community manager; and Eleanor Domingo Enriquez, MFLCD, special education teacher, project coordinator, and mother of a young adult with Down syndrome.

From L to R, Mr. Ranilo Sorongon, ASP Executive Director, Ms. Landa Bautista, Director of The Learning Center Inc., ASP Dream Girls (Thara and Nica), Ms. Noemi Viado , ASP Board of Trustee and Ms. Perlita So, ASP Vice President

Teens with autism and other special needs culminated a four-month long workshop with a spectacular fashion show. It was the most extraordinary catwalk of the year!

Thirty-seven unique models sauntered and posed at the “Special Collection 2012” fashion event. Of this group, 10 were persons with autism (PWAs).

In 2010, project coordinator Eleanor Domingo Enriquez saw the need to put together the project given the children’s natural propensity for music, rhythm, and movement and the lack of programs for special teens and adults.

MODELS FOR A DAY – With intensive preparations, persons with autism and other persons with disabilities successfully walk the runway like professional models in the Special Collection 2012 fashion event.

Models were students with varying special needs from eight different schools and centers around Metro Manila namely CDIS Center for Children with Special Needs, Ella M. Castro Educational Foundation Inc., Cradle of Learners, Independent Living Learning Center, Legarda Elementary School, Mandaluyong C.A.R.E.S. Project T.E.A.C.H, Secret of God’s Child, and Philippine Women’s University Post High School Transition Program.

They were taught to walk to the beat of the music, pause and turn, execute hand movements, and build rapport with the audience. With moderate to high functioning levels and ages ranging from 12 to 23 years old, participants retained instructions and routines given provisions for demonstration and repetition.

The workshop likewise developed turn taking skills, and waiting skills. It also helped develop the PWA participants’ social skills as they were placed in immediate contact with peers, teachers, and audience in a setting that was timed, coordinated and paired with a partner. The end product was increased confidence, self-awareness, socialization, and receptive skills.

Weekly workshops, individual home practices, and a general dress rehearsal — complete with lights and sounds — allowed the participants to familiarize themselves with the setting of the workshop’s culminating fashion show. Ultimately, the model participants gave an astounding performance, much to the admiration of a truly amazed audience.

The show featured an animal print collection designed by Carl Estrella and Edwin Rosas Visda, a streetwear collection sponsored by Yabang Pinoy, and Agos Pilipinas; a formal wear collection sponsored by Onesimus Suits and Barongs and the finale, Filipiniana collection styled by Eleanor Enriquez and Lorie Cruz.

The program also featured an African-inspired dance performance, an interpretative dance in karate by Alcyn Jordan Cuenca, a mini-concert by Thara Marie Santiago and Nica Escasinas of the ASP (Autism Society Philippines) Dream Girls, a raffle draw, a duet by Angelo Dave Ponce, a teen with autism, and his mom Aimee, and the awarding of certificates of completion to all the model participants.

Uploaded with permission

Acknowledgment to Manila Bulletin: Autism's Next Top Model