Every child is unique. Every child has a role to fulfill and a significance to realize. And though there are those who are more special in ways that they need more understanding and assistance, each child deserves to be given the chance to enhance his or her own unique potentials and capabilities.
This is why in relation to Presidential Decree No. 711 declaring the fourth week of January as Autism Consciousness Week, the Bacolod City Special Education (Sped) Center, together with other special education institutions in the city, celebrates an annual event aimed to promote an atmosphere of respect and fairness for individuals with autism.
Through the various activities highlighting the week-long event, organizers hope to provide the venue for acceptance of children with special needs, allowing parents and educators to play a significant role in raising public awareness so that more opportunities for growth can be provided by the government and private sectors in terms of education, privileges and other facilities.
The Autism Consciousness Week started last January 23 with a Holy Mass and opening ceremonies at the Bacolod City Sped Center. The next day was marked by a guesting at the “Morning Show” of ABS-CBN Bacolod led by Donna Pidut, principal of Bacolod City Sped Center, wherein Autism Spectrum Disorder was discussed.
The afternoon of the second day was a fun coloring contest between kids with special needs hosted by the Bacolod SPEDUC Society in partnership with JCI Bacolod Inc. On the third day, the organizers held a symposium on autism focusing on practical tips for parents and behavior modification strategies at the Sped Center while on the fourth day, Angels’ Walk and Special Olympics were held at Riverside College.
The culmination of the event was “Water Therapy and Community Exposure” on January 27 at the Camella Homes Clubhouse, wherein the children were treated to a day of swimming and bonding with friends and family.
Autism Consciousness Week 2017 was actively participated by the following schools: The Bacolod Sped Center, Handumanan Elementary School, Happy Beginners School of Learning, Riverside College Children’s Learning Center, Bacolod Individualized Sped Services, and Jack and Jill SIDERA Sped Center and Castleson.