CARD, Philippines - PAFI

🪑 Can't Get Your Child to Sit Still? Here's some helpful guide,

Sitting is a SKILL — and many children need to be taught it directly.

Start small:
⏱️ Begin with just 10 seconds
🪑 Say "sit" firmly and calmly gently guide them to the chair
🎁 Reward right away, Praise (exaggerated tone like "yeeeeey! good job!"), give a small reward immediately the moment they sit.
📍 Practice in different chairs and different places
⏫ Slowly extend duration as they improve — never jump too fast.

Why it matters: Sitting is the foundation for eating, toileting, and nearly every school task. Building this skill early opens the door to learning in every other area of life.

Be patient — progress is the goal, not perfection. Each second longer is a win worth celebrating. 💪

🗣️ How to Talk to Your Child — Tips That Actually Work

Did you know that HOW you speak to your child matters as much as WHAT you say?

Try these strategies:
👉 Use short, clear sentences
👉 Say their name first before giving a command ("Maria, sit.")
👉 Use gestures and signs along with words
👉 Don't repeat a command 5 times — say it once, then gently guide
👉 Speak positively — remove "don't" and "stop" from your vocabulary

Your child isn't ignoring you. Their brain just needs a different way in. 💛

💖 Big milestones start with small steps.

Our Preschool Program focuses on the basics of our “First Things First” approach, helping children build important daily functional living skills through guided and nurturing activities.

👉 IEP-based program allowing each child to learn at their own pace with practical goals and support.
👉 Cognitive, speech and language development, gross & fine motor, social-emotional and self-help skills.
👉Focus on independence, communication, and daily living skills.

Now accepting enrollees for SY 2026–2027 🏫

Send us a message to learn more or schedule a visit 😊

Recognition Day 2026

Today, we celebrate the achievements, growth, and unique talents of our learners. Every step forward is a reflection of love, patience, and hard work.

Congratulations to all our students, parents, and teachers for another meaningful year of learning and success. ✨

World Autism Awareness Day 2026

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day 2026, the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) Philippines joins the global community in reaffirming its commitment to advancing a more inclusive, supportive and enabling environment for persons with autism and their families.

This year’s observance calls for a continued shift—from awareness to acceptance, inclusion and sustained action. While awareness has grown, many individuals with autism and their families continue to face challenges in accessing services, navigating systems, and fully participating in everyday life. Addressing these gaps requires not only understanding, but coordinated and long-term efforts across sectors.

For CARD Philippines, this direction is embodied in BALINGAY—our unifying framework for inclusion. BALINGAY brings together key elements of support, from early identification and access to services, to referral systems, community inclusion, continuity of care and family support, including emerging efforts on respite and residential care. More importantly, it serves as a platform to strengthen partnerships and collaboration across government, private sector, academia and communities—recognizing that inclusion cannot be achieved in isolation.

In 2026, CARD also reflects with gratitude on the partnerships that have helped translate this vision into action. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development, the Department of Health Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, DOH Mental Health Program, the local governments of Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Baras, Asian Hospital and the UP Manila College of Allied Medical Professions. These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to building systems that are more responsive, coordinated and inclusive.

As national momentum continues to strengthen toward a comprehensive autism framework, it is essential that all sectors—government, private institutions and communities—work together to ensure that policies are translated into real, accessible and sustained support systems. Initiatives such as BALINGAY aim to contribute to this effort by providing practical pathways for implementation and scale.

Inclusion is not a one-time effort—it is a shared and continuing responsibility. It is reflected in how systems are designed, how services are delivered and how communities respond to diversity.
As we mark World Autism Awareness Day, we call on all partners to join us in building environments where persons with autism are not only recognized, but supported, included and valued—across every stage of life.

Sa bawat pamilya at indibidwal na patuloy na humaharap sa hamon ng autism, kasama ninyo kami.
Sa bawat komunidad na patuloy na natututo at nagbubukas ng pintuan, may pag-asa.

At sa sama-samang pagkilos sa ilalim ng BALINGAY, makakamit natin ang isang lipunang tunay na inklusibo para sa lahat.
CARD remains committed to working alongside partners in building a future where every individual with autism is given the opportunity to thrive—with dignity, support and understanding.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Engr. Alexander V. Herrera, PDAO Officer of Pililla, Rizal, for giving us the opportunity to serve as a resource speaker for the Autism Awareness program.

Seeing our fellow countrymen receive the right information and learn how to properly understand & support persons with autism deeply moved us. Moments like these remind us how powerful awareness and education can be in building a more inclusive community.

We are grateful for the trust & expecting more collaboration in the near future. 🫡😊

Inset:
Dr. Cristine Caibiran, President, CARD, Phils.-PAFI
Dulce P. Anastacio, Executive Director, CARD, Phils.-PAFI
Marite C. Panopio, HR Officer, CARD, Phils.-PAFI
T. Rainier E. Valenzuela, SpEd, Level Coordinator, CARD, Phils.-PAFI
T. Eduardo J. Tadena, SpEd, Level Coordinator, CARD, Phils.-PAFI

Caregivers Training has officially concluded.

We sincerely thank everyone who participated. Your openness and shared experiences will guide us in creating stronger and more effective strategies for our children in the days ahead.

As part of CARD’s activities for it’s 30th year this SY 2025-2026, we are offering “ASSISTING ADULT AKO!”, a caregiver’s orientation on Autism Management.

Sunday, February 22, 2026
8:30am to 5:00pm
Manulife, CARD

FEE: Php 2,000/ pax, with certificate, lunch and snacks.

The school most seasoned teachers & Level Coordinators, Mr. Rainier E. Valenzuela (Pre-school, Primary & Transition) & Mr. Eduardo J. Tadena (Adult) shall handle the lectures and behavior management workshops for the day.

We strongly encourage all assisting adults to attend this seminar workshop as this is essential in success of your child’s program at CARD.

Check deposits or bank transfers can be made out to “ Center for Autism and Related Disorders Phils- PAFI” and deposited to BPI Current Account # 8241-006485.

Kindly email your deposit slip or confirmation receipt to [email protected] before Sunday, 22 February, 2026.

CARD Statement in Support of the 30th Autism Consciousness Week

In observance of the 30th Autism Consciousness Week, the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) joins the Department of Health, National Council on Disability Affairs, families, professionals and communities across the country in reaffirming our shared commitment to inclusion for persons with autism.

Guided by this year’s theme, “Mula Kamalayan Tungo sa Gawa: Pag-unlad ng Autism-OK Philippines,” we are reminded that awareness must lead to action. Genuine inclusion takes shape not only through understanding, but through sustained efforts—when health services respond with sensitivity, schools adapt to diverse learning needs, communities become welcoming spaces and policies are translated into meaningful support on the ground.

For three decades, CARD has been privileged to walk alongside individuals with autism and their families—supporting education, care and advocacy across different stages of life. Over these 30 years, we have witnessed how acceptance, informed care and community understanding can transform lives. These experiences continue to strengthen our resolve to support national and local efforts that advance autism consciousness, awareness and inclusion.

At the heart of this advocacy are real people: children discovering their strengths, adolescents finding their voices, adults seeking dignity and participation and families whose perseverance and love sustain them every day. Their stories remind us that inclusion is not an abstract ideal—it is lived, practical and deeply human.

As we mark this week, CARD renews its commitment to work with government, partners, and communities to help build environments where persons with autism are respected, supported and empowered to participate fully in society. Inclusion is not achieved in a single week, but through continued collaboration and action—today and in the years ahead.

Mula kamalayan, tungo sa gawa. Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang Autism-OK Philippines.

In Frame: CARD Professional Training update for 2026

ORIENTATION TO AUTISM, Alexis L. Reyes, MD, FPPS, FPSDBP
Teaching Activities & Strategies, T. Aulyn Mendoza

We are deeply grateful for the invaluable insights and expertise shared by Dr. Alexis Reyes and T. Aulyn Mendoza, their thoughtful guidance and dedication have been both inspiring and instrumental to our success.

CARD Training Programs
👉Phase 1 and Phase 2 training for Parents and Professionals
👉Caregivers Training
👉Sibling Training
👉1-month Intensive Training for Parents and Professionals

for more details please call us at
👉8820-8719
👉0906-354-8979