Philippine Centre for Autism:

A Sensory Sensitive Approach in designing an Autism treatment Center

I. Introduction

I.I

Background of the study

Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is described simply as a developmental disorder that can

appear in the first 3 years of life. It affects the brains normal development of social and
communication skills. The spectrum refers to to the varying degrees in which its characteristics
manifest themselves within the host. While some may simply suffer from difficulties with social
interactions and skills, oftentimes, autism might mean completely nonverbal communication and
repetitive behaviors. Some 10 odd years ago, not much research or insight had been put into
this developmental disorder.
Statistics says that one in forty-two boys (1 in 42) boys are most commonly suffering from ASD
than in girls which is only one in one hundred eighty-nine (1 in 189). In the Philippines, there is
an alarming growth which estimates the number of autistic persons from 500,000 in 2008 to 1
million at present. Currently, there are non-profit organizations reaching out to this people to
create public awareness because ASD can be critically treated on the early stages of life of the
children. The Autism Society of the Philippines is one of those NGOs that increases public
awareness about challenges faced by Filipinos on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate
services and providing the latest information regarding intervention, education and advocacy. It
is comprised of persons with autism, families, teachers, and educators whose lives have been
touched by autism.

A lawmaker is calling for the creation of a national center for autism to address the
needs of the specialized group of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to help them
become productive members of the community.
Hon. Scott Davies S. Lanete Rep. Scott Davies S. Lanete (3rd District, Masbate) said the
creation of the Philippine Center for Autism under House Bill 5813 is in consonance with the
policy of the State to promote an environment conducive to the development of autistic persons
to become to the best of their potentials, independent, self-reliant and productive members of
society.
The autism center shall be administered by a Board of Trustees composed of seven members
to be appointed by the President of the Philippines.
"One representative from the Department of Health shall sit as chairperson while a
representative from the Department of Education shall sit as the vice-chairman," Lanete said.
The Philippine Center for Autism aims to promote public awareness, education, and information
on issues concerning autism; establish sustainable networks of support groups for families of

autistic children and adults and to provide referral services to patients with autism and identify
the appropriate educational and medical expertise and facilities suited to the needs of the
autistic person.
It shall also endeavor to combat the spectrum of disorders related to autism through screening,
education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services as well as to
undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research activities regarding autism
in the Philippines.
Likewise, the Philippine Center for Autism shall undertake to coordinate with schools in
formulating individualized programs for autistic school children and young students.
The center is also authorized to receive donations and grants from international donor
institutions, foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in the
prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons with autism.
Another objective is to promote the advocacy against bias and stereotyping against autistics,
thereby eliminating discrimination and/or misconception of the notion of being autistic, with the
end view of opening the doors of productive economic opportunities to autistic persons.
The Philippine Center for Autism shall provide the avenue for exchange of information,
exchange programs and sharing of best practices on issues relating to the early detection,
prevention, cure, treatment and rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with autism, among others.
Under the measure, the Philippine Center for Autism is directed to formulate and implement an
integrated and comprehensive master plan; create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation
clinic and provide vocational training programs for autistic adults.
The Philippine Center for Autism shall provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to
indigent autistic and to provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists and
medical.
The autism center is also tasked to provide other services such as counseling, orientation and
referral and increase awareness and concern on autism by spearheading advocacy programs.
For the orderly and efficient execution of plans and programs, the Philippine Center for Autism
is directed to establish the departments for research policy, planning and program development;
for medical management; fro diagnostics and for family and community support.
Lanete said numerous medical and psychological studies have shown that with intensive and
sustained special education programs and behavior therapy early in life, people with ASD can
acquirer self-care, social, and job skills, improved functioning and decreased symptoms of
severity and maladaptive behaviors.
"By creating a Philippine Center for Autism, the needs of people with ASD will be addressed
and their development will be supported so that the social stigma against them is debunked,
transforming them as productive members of community," Lanete said

Architecture, as a profession, is responsible for creating environments that accommodate the

needs of all types of users. Individuals with special needs should not be exempt from such
accommodation. Persons with disabilities most especially need to have an enhanced mobility
for them to participate fully in the social life and the development of the societies in which they
live.

I.2

Statement of the problem

Currently, two hospitals in the Philippines, which include, the Philippine General Hospital
and the Philippine Childrens Medical Center, established a registry to keep a record of the
number of incidences of autism. Having doctors who are able to detect early signs of autism
is a vital key to ensuring that early intervention services can be delivered to those children.
There are also regional, small scale rehabilitation centres that cater the needs of persons
diagnosed with ASD, though this cannot accommodate the alarming growth of the autistic
persons.
However, the needs of an autistic person do not only fall in detecting early signs but to those
who are diagnosed with this disease, they need to be in an environment that has its main
focus in curing children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The research of the study aims to answer the questions as follows:

How can the design, organization and arrangement of spaces within the proposed

centre affect the user?

What is the potential of the study which is creating a national centre for Autism?
Could people with autism adapt to current built environment conditions?

I.3

Significance of the Study

The Philippine Centre for Autism aims to promote public awareness, education, and
information on issues concerning autism; establish sustainable networks of support
groups for families of autistic children and adults and to provide referral services to
patients with autism and identify the appropriate educational and medical expertise and
facilities suited to the needs of the autistic person.
It shall provide the avenue for exchange of information, exchange programs and sharing
of best practices on issues relating to the early detection, prevention, cure, treatment
and rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with autism, among others.

I.4

Goal and Objective of the study

1.4.1

Goal of the study

The proposed development shall be the center for rehabilitation focused

on people suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through a Sensory

sensitive approach wherein the focus is on what the individuals with autism can
do rather than what they cannot. Aiming to be the national centre for Autism in
the Philippines, it will be the primary centre that will answer the needs of autistic
persons and help patients to develop the emotional, social, vocational and
intellectual skills needed to live, learn and work in the community with the least
amount of professional help.

I.4.2

Objectives of the study

To become the spearhead dedicated on the rehabilitation of Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD).
To create an environment conducive to the development of autistic persons to become to

the best of their potentials, independent, self-reliant and productive members of society.
To administer the sensory sensitive approach in architecture in consideration with the
users in creating a thinking wherein the individuals with autism can do rather than what

they cannot.
To provide national leadership through architecture the identification of outcomes, indicators,
and assessments to monitor people challenged with the disorder

I.5

Scope and Delimitations

The Philippine Centre for Autism is directed to formulate and implement an integrated and
comprehensive master plan; create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation centre, provide
vocational training programs for autistic adults which envisions to be a learning centre and a
sensory garden which is considered to be an escaping area whenever an autistic user feels
irritated and needs to calm his/her senses down.

I.6

Justification of the Study (UNIQUENESS)

The centre intends to be the national agency catering the needs of people diagnosed
with ASD. With integrated treatment and learning facilities,

II. Survey of Related Literature

Number of people with autism increasing

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - The number of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the
Philippines and other countries worldwide has almost doubled in the past six years and the
number is still rising.

Erlinda Borromeo, Autism Speaks Foundation president, said one in 68 children worldwide has
autism. The figure is way above the .5 cases in every 1,000 children in the 1980s and one in
110 children in 2008.

In the Philippines, estimated cases of autism rose from 500,000 in 2008 to one million people at
present.
The number could be much higher since there are still a lot of areas in the Philippines not
covered, Borromeo said.

Health experts have attributed the increase to better detection methods, but genetics and
environmental factors could also be among the causes.

Autism is a developmental disorder with a range of difficulties in social, emotional and

communication skills, which occurs in all racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups. It is more
common among boys (1 in 42) than girls (1 in 189).
Borromeos group is pushing for the establishment of a comprehensive program to establish an
up-to-date prevalence rate of autism in the Philippines. Her group is working with the
Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development to implement the
program.

Borromeo said many parents from poor families are not aware that their children have autism
and that is why their children do not get the right treatment and intervention.

Early detection is very important in autism management, so Borromeos group is also pushing
for early screening for autism and other developmental disorders for children as young as 18
months to four years.

Early intervention improves both brain and behavioral development and with them, a childs
long-term outcomes, she explained.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AN ARCHITECTURE FOR AUTISM:

Concepts of Design Intervention for the autistic user
http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=8818
http://www.icare4autism.org/news/2012/08/autism-the-filipino-experience-2/
http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/366.html
http://www.autismsocietyphilippines.org/
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/04/10/1310840/number-people-autismincreasing