CHILDREN with special needs in Cagayan de Oro City took the spotlight last Tuesday, April 2, as Cagayan de Oro City observed the 12th World Autism Awareness Day.
Wearing their blue shirts, a color in recognition of people living with autism, children with special needs, their parents, Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), and the Intervention Center of Autism and Related Exceptionalities (iCare) came together outside the Executive Building in City Hall to increase understanding and acceptance of persons with autism.
"Kung gustohon gyud nimo tabangan imong anak, naa ra japun na sa parents. Kaya gyud ni sa akong anak. Kaya gani sa uban, nganong dili man sa akong anak. Mao nang karon, dili na kaayo bug-at sa ako nga makit-an akong anak. Siya ang gahatag sa amo og happiness karon," Grace Macalisang, a mother of a child with autism, said during her testimony.
(It is up to the parents if they are willing to help their children. If others can, why can't my own child? That is why I am no longer burdened to see my child struggling. Our child now gives happiness now.)
Renato Tangonan, director of iCare, in his message said people should be focusing on the abilities of children with autism and related exceptionalities instead of their disabilities.
iCare is a school committed to provide efficient and effective quality therapy and educational services to children with autism and other related disabilities using the scientific procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the foundation of intervention.
"Since this is autism awareness, ang dali-dali nating makita o ma-notice yung mga (it is easier now to see or notice the) signs and symptoms ng autism. But that is not the (only) thing that we really want to achieve," he said.
City Administrator Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr., for his part, assured that the city will help care for autistic children.
He also mentioned the city's ongoing construction of Bahay Pag-asa, a place where street children and children in conflict with the law can stay and will be cared for, and their partnership with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro to help the mentally ill persons.
"Ang importante lang niini nga makahimo kita og pamaagi nga mahulipan ug madugangan kanang gugma nga inyong gihatag sa inyong mga anak... ang syudad maghatag kami og oportunidad nga kanang inyong pagmahal sa inyong mga anak mapalambo nato, uban kami diha sa pagmahal sa inyong tagsa-tagsa ka mga bata pinaagi sa paghatag og pasildad," Sabuga-a said.
(What is important here is that we can create a way to add the love that you parents give to your children. The city can give opportunities that these love for your children can still prosper, and we are one in the love that you give to your children through giving facilities.)
Every second day of April since 2008, member states of the United Nations, including the Philippines, celebrate the day of autism awareness.