By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
To increase public awareness of children and persons with autism on the inclusive program under the prescribed K to 12 Basic Education curriculum, the Department of Education (DepEd) directed all public and private elementary and secondary schools to hold activities and programs for the celebration of this year’s National Autism Consciousness Week.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Memo No. 17 series of 2018, said the annual celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 711 or “Declaring the Third Week of January as Autism Consciousness Week.” This year’s celebration was observed from January 14 to 20 for children and persons with autism with theme “From Awareness to Acceptance, Accommodation and Appreciation.”
DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones (MB PHOTO/FEDERICO CRUZ / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“The observance aims to develop awareness on problems of persons with autism and promote a supportive environment that will enable them to live with dignity, function independently, and contribute productively to society,” Briones said.
During the week-long celebration, all private and Special Education (SPED) centers and schools with SPED programs for children and persons with autism were encouraged to undertake related activities like media announcements and guestings as well as issuance and circulation of memorandum.
They were also asked to “serve as vehicle of information on the continuing development of programs implemented to realize the rights and fundamental freedom of children and persons with autism through partnerships between public and private sectors.”
The schools and SPED centers were also asked to recite a pledge to reiterate the support given to the children and persons with autism. Moreover, the regional, schools division and the schools/offices were also enjoined to conduct other appropriate innovative and creative activities which did not entail cost and did not disrupt classes.
School activities held during the week-long event included hanging of streamers; arts workshops and contests; community and parents’ forum on understanding persons with autism.
DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones (MB PHOTO/FEDERICO CRUZ / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“The observance aims to develop awareness on problems of persons with autism and promote a supportive environment that will enable them to live with dignity, function independently, and contribute productively to society,” Briones said.
During the week-long celebration, all private and Special Education (SPED) centers and schools with SPED programs for children and persons with autism were encouraged to undertake related activities like media announcements and guestings as well as issuance and circulation of memorandum.
They were also asked to “serve as vehicle of information on the continuing development of programs implemented to realize the rights and fundamental freedom of children and persons with autism through partnerships between public and private sectors.”
The schools and SPED centers were also asked to recite a pledge to reiterate the support given to the children and persons with autism. Moreover, the regional, schools division and the schools/offices were also enjoined to conduct other appropriate innovative and creative activities which did not entail cost and did not disrupt classes.
School activities held during the week-long event included hanging of streamers; arts workshops and contests; community and parents’ forum on understanding persons with autism.