By Ladylove May Baurile and Gretzel Lantican
Los Baños, Laguna- The Los Baños municipal government in partnership with the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) Laguna Chapter held today “The Los Baños Community Center for Therapy, Intervention & Support Services” to show support to children with autism.
Ambassador Christopher Thornly was welcomed by the attendees of the seminar as he arrived at the Los Baños Municipal Hall (photo by GLantican).
Some of the highlights of the event included the arrival of the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornly, performances of the autistic children and gift-giving by the organizers.
“We really know how much you put into this. This is really why I am here today… to give superior honest support and to perhaps give keen start, to help you out a little bit, to do all the wonderful work that you’re doing because I know… when we’re in it together it’s so much easier”, said Ambassador Thornly.
Sixty participants attended the event wherein twenty of them will be selected to attend the four-day seminar funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.
Sixty participants attended the event organized by the municipality of Los Baños and Autism Society of the Philippines (photo by LMBaurile).
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ASP kasi ‘yung anak ko na four years old alam ko kakaiba pero sabi ko na lang aalagaan ko na lang kasi walang pera kaya nagpapasalamat ako na meron daw mag-iisponsor (I am thankful for ASP because I know that my four-year old child is special but I just said that I will just take care of him since we don’t have money so I am thankful that there will be sponsors),” said Mrs. Diyo, mother of an autistic child.
The said seminar will be divided into four portions namely “Understanding My Child’s Disability”, “How to Increase my Child’s Compliance”, “Break-out Sessions by Nature of Disability” and “Behavioral Disability.”
“Children with autism can have better outcomes… Our partnership with the embassy of Canada brings new hope to the families and children with autism in Los Baños, the project that was only a dream many years ago is now a reality,” shared Rizalina Cansanay, president of ASP Laguna Chapter.