28 September 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Autism Hearts Foundation (AHF) and the Autism Speaks jointly held a forum called A Conversation with theFilipino American Community About Autism on September 24 at the Philippine Center.
AHF, based in San Francisco, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons with autism (PWA) and their families. It collaborates and partner with various organizations including New York-based Autism Speaks, and also attends meetings and conferences on autism sponsored by the United Nations and World Health Organization.
About 40 people came to the event to listen to the presentations and participate in the discussion about autism, which reportedly affects 1 in every 88 children in the US and 1% of the global population.
Those who spoke at the forum included Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Justice Undersecretary Leah Tanodra-Armamento, who represented Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, AHF President Erlinda Borromeo, and Autism Speaks’ Vice-President of Scientific Affairs Dr. Andy Shih and Assistant Director of Public Health Dr. Amy Daniels.Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Libran Cabactulan also graced the occasion.
Describing autism as “a topic not discussed so much in our society, much more in the Filipino American community,” Consul General De Leon remarked that the forum should provide the community with “a better understanding of autism” and “a chance to learn from people whose advocacy is to help PWA.”
Secretary Balisacan explained that the Philippine government was pursuing a poverty-reducing and inclusive economic growth strategy, which should expand opportunities for the marginalized sectors of the society, including the PWA. He admitted that raising awareness on certain conditions like autism was a real challenge but it deserved the attention not only of the government but also of the public.
Undersecretary Armamento pointed out the need to understand, accept and respect PWA and help them develop their special abilities so they can become productive members of the society. She urged the public to reflect on the issue of diversity within the autism community and understand the important role that diversity plays in helping PWA. She also called for improvement in the conduct of early diagnosis of autism.
Mrs. Borromeo reported that there were 70,000 autism cases in the Philippines and only 10% of these were diagnosed properly. Through its counterpart Autism Hearts of the Philippines, Inc. (AHPI), based in Manila, AHF has undertaken various advocacy and awareness projects on autism in partnership with the government agencies such as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), as well as with local government units, non-government organizations, hospitals, universities and private sectors in the Philippines. She welcomed the discussions on PWA within the UN High-Level on Meeting on Disability and the WHO Consultative Meeting on Autism, which were held in New York on September 23 and in Geneva from September 16 to 18, respectively.
Resource persons from Autism Speaks cited their Early Access to Care Initiative (EAC) program and on their advocacy efforts, actions and campaigns to promote EAC awareness. Ms. Daniel explained that EAC was pushing for the lowering of the average age required for autism diagnosis in the US from the current four years to two years, and the elimination of the gap in access to screening and services for disadvantaged families. Dr. Shih discussed the NYC-Korea Community Autism Project, which could serve as a model to the Filipino American community in terms of raising the awareness on autism.
Attendees said the forum was very informative and some of them expressed willingness to partner with AHF and Autism Speaks in increasing the awareness on autism of the Filipino American community in Northeast USA. The forum was a prelude to the establishment of the NYC Fil-Am Autism Community Advocacy Group in support of families challenged by autism.
Those who would like to get involved in autism awareness advocacy can contact AHF at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They can also get more information at www.autismhearts.com. END