Philippines
National
‘Quality education can help people with autism reach their full potential’ -- CHR
‘Quality education can help people with autism reach their full potential’ -- CHR
As the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joined today’s, April 2, observance of the “World Autism Awareness Day,” it stressed the importance of providing quality education for people with autism to help them reach their full potential.
With quality education, the CHR said people with autism will have equal opportunity to succeed in employment.
The American Psychiatric Association says “autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior.”
CHR data released in 2019 showed that around 1.2 million or one in every 100 Filipinos have autism. In more advanced countries with better autism detection programs like the United States, autism prevalence among children is at one in every 58, it said.
“Alinsunod sa tema, mahalaga ang mabilis at epektibong pagpapatupad sa Republic Act No. 11650 or 'An Act Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education' para sila'y makasabay at hindi mapag-iwanan sa ating pagsulong patungo sa 'new normal,' (In line with the theme, it is important to quickly and effectively implement Republic Act No. 11650 or 'An Act Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education' so that they can keep pace and not be left behind in our progress towards the 'new normal')," the CHR posted on social media.
The CHR said that while key government services are important in improving the lives of people with autism, the public also has to do its part in creating more open awareness, fair view, and sincere support for them.
"Sa kapaligirang mapagkalinga at nagtataguyod sa karapatan ng lahat, makakapamuhay nang may dignidad at pantay na oportunidad ang mga bulnerable, kabilang ang mga taong nasa autism spectrum, (In an environment that cares and promotes the rights of all, the vulnerable, including people on the autism spectrum, can live with dignity and equal opportunity)," it stressed.