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'People with autism need more support'
A landmark proposal had been put forward at the House of Representatives that aims to address the concerns of an increasing number of Filipino families - the lack of social support mechanisms for people with autism.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 00:04 November 24, 2008
Manila: A landmark proposal had been put forward at the House of Representatives that aims to address the concerns of an increasing number of Filipino families - the lack of social support mechanisms for people with autism.
Representative Cynthia A. Villar of the suburb of Las Pinas City is pushing for the creation of a government inter-agency initiative to enhance services for people with autism.
Villar's House Bill 5471 mandates the Secretary of the Department of Health and the Secretary of the Department of Education to develop an inter-agency proposal for a coordinated, lifelong system of care designed to address the needs of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families.
Experts have said autism is a lifelong pervasive developmental disorder that now afflicts one in every 100 newborn Filipinos.
"Autism spectrum disorders are neurologically based developmental disorders that can have profound lifelong effects in social interaction, the ability to communicate, imagination and the establishment of relationships," said Villar, Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
The measure also tasks the Department of Health with the primary responsibility of developing the proposed plan in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
The lawmaker said providing early intervention might lessen the impact of autism and cited research findings suggesting that up to 48 per cent of young children with autism make marked progress when they receive intensive early intervention.
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