Davao City celebrates National Autism Consciousness Week

The City Government of Davao, through the Special Office for Children’s Concerns (SOCC), celebrates this year’s National Autism Consciousness Week.

Held every third week of January, the event aims to raise awareness on autism spectrum disorders, their various signs and symptoms, and the interventions that may be provided to persons under the autism spectrum to help them overcome any impediments to their development.

A person with a condition under the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to some extent with social engagement and communication, which is one of their defining traits. Other traits include unique patterns of behavior and activity, such as trouble switching from one activity to another, an exceptional attention to detail, and unexpected responses to senses.

SOCC head Consorcia Ronquillo said all persons with autism whose cognitive and social development remain very limited no matter what their age, will be considered a child in need of protection by the SOCC.

Ronquillo added that it is important for both public and private groups to work together in protecting the rights of persons with autism and remove the erroneous assumptions surrounding ASD. She said aside from an ongoing information and education campaign on autism, their office is also consolidating data from various agencies in the city to determine the number of autistic children that are in need of protection or any form of aid.

Meanwhile, in celebration of the event, the Brokenshire Medical Center, through its Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopment Center (CANDEV), is holding a two-day (January 16-17) art exhibit showcasing the artworks of their autistic patients.

CANDEV head Dr. Ferriza Maria A. Isaguirre said that although children with autism “maybe having difficulties in certain areas of development” their artworks are “proof of their skills and talents” that also show their potential to contribute greatly to society.

Isaguiree said raising the general public’s consciousness of autism will enable parents to recognize symptoms of ASDs, adding that early detection is essential in finding the most appropriate intervention methods to aid the child’s development.

“The first step for them to reach their maximum potential is to be aware and to recognize and have a diagnosis kung ano ba talaga ang condition ng anak nila,” Isaguirre said. CIO