Tags: Paintings, Visual arts
By Nikka Garriga
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA— The Association For Adults with Autism-Philippines (AAAP) is set to host an art auction that aims to help build the first residential community for adults with autism.
The silent auction, dubbed A Special Place, will exhibit a selection of paintings by adults with autism as well as works of young artists such as Matthew Aragon, Vico Cham and Andrei Macapagal.
“We envision A Special Place as a nurturing community where adults with autism can thrive and achieve the full potential of their personhood,” said AAAP President Lirio Sobreviñas-Covey.
“There will be programs to help residents develop their social and cognitive abilities, apply their learned skills in work opportunities, as well as engage in enjoyable recreational activities.”
Covery, currently a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Senior Research Scientist at the Columbia University, is also a mother to her 33-year old son Mikey who lives in a residential community in New York.
This initiative is the flagship program of the AAAP which aims to provide a sustained enrichment opportunities and long-term care for personal growth, social interaction and a cooperative life among their peers.
A Special Place will initially be built with six individual homes located within the same campus and will house six residents along parents assigned per unit.
The association has identified its first location at the south of Manila based on specific requirements – cool environment, flood-free area and is relatively near the metropolis.
“We’ll not always be here for our children and we believe it’s high time to have a facility here in the country that specifically caters to the needs of adults with autism, a place where they can enjoy a secure, independent, and comfortable life.”
Autism is a neurological condition characterized by a range and variety of behavioral and cognitive impairments. Children diagnosed with autism develop new psychological and social needs as they grow into adulthood.
It is estimated that there are more than a million Filipinos with autism.
“Autism is a lifelong disorder. Early intervention, occurring as early as the first two years of life, has been shown to improve language and socialization, but continued intervention and education throughout the course of the individual’s life is beneficial,” Covey said.
The auction will be held on February 20 (Monday) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Reading Room of the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City.
For more information on A Special Place and AAAP, contact Carissa Villacorta at +639175955480 or email to adultautismphil@gmail.com. You may also visit http://adultautismphil.wordpress.com.
(Photos courtesy of the Association For Adults with Autism-Philippines)
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I need to go through our oilnne flickr picks and see what I can include for my kids. I keep meaning too but hardly anytime on computer as Nick is on all day for school and then after that playing games.