May 2008 Archives

BUDDY CLASS

(Kinder 1, 2)
Each class is composed of 5 normal children ages 3-7 years old joined by 1-2 children with special needs. This program provides the basic Academic subjects which are Math, English integrated with Science, Music, Arts, and Physical Education. Basic Computer Lessons are offered as well. In addition to this, this is an opportunity for normal children to fully understand their peers with special needs and acquire knowledge on how to socialize with them.

BUDDY-BUDDY : FREE
This is an alternative daycare option and additional learning opportunity to your child after half day in a school. We accept 3-7 years old normal child and the child will join a class wherein there is 1 or 2 young children with special needs and a teacher.

Special children need a friend, a "BUDDY" as we call it. By becoming a "BUDDY", your child will be a part of the growing number of people who want to see "special children enjoy a new life". This "BUDDY" program focuses on developing social skills, communication skills, play skills, self- confidence and self-esteem.

This is intended for a child with speech delay, but high functioning with good social skills. 1 hour & 30 minutes (1 hour for one-on-one & 30 minutes with a normal child, group of 2).

This is applicable to a person 12 years old and above. This is to provide age appropriate and center to community-based activities that are highly task focused.

• Independent & community living, social skills and vocational training etc.
• Three hours or six hours
• Group of 2 in a class
  
• IEP (Individualized Education Program)
  

This training will be beneficial for a child with severe disability or from infancy to 3 years old. This is to provide intensive training in the child's home environment with home to community-based activities which are IEP (Individualized Education Program) based.

SPED TRAINING
Together welcomes family members, teachers, students, community workers, and friends. This training aims to provide the wide scope of Special Education, mainstreaming, and inclusion skills in a regular class and community.


PARENTS CONSULTATION
The consultation is on the disability identification as well as information on the available services of special education, doctors and related services in the community. Educational assessment is available in the center.


SIBSHOP AND SUNBEAM CLASS
"SIBSHOP" for SIBLINGS WORKSHOP is held every Saturday which is composed of siblings of children with special needs. Activities and games are prepared to help them fully understand and realize the importance of attention and support to their special brother or sister. Sunbeam class is also held every Sunday morning which focuses on the activities that are related to "God and His children".


LIBRARY AND INTERNET
Family members, teachers, students and community workers may avail the service. This is to equip them with additional information and the latest research and innovations of Special Education.

By: Mr. and Mrs. Jose Mojado

The birth of Ryan brought more joy into our lives. After 13 years as a married couple Ryan being our only child helped us to be fulfilled as parents.

Since birth until the age of 2, our little boy was sickly. He was even admitted twice at Brent Hospital because of Asthma. During one of our visits, a physician noticed the difference in our son's attitude. It was disturbing when she shared her observation. Ryan elicits features of Autism.

It took time and a lot of soul searching before my wife and I finally accepted the fact that Ryan needed help. As soon as a neighbor told us about TOGETHER, we immediately went to inquire. The teachers and staff are making a big difference in our son's life. The trainings has made him more responsive and independent. We are surprised that this early he can already understand and follow simple behavioral commands. He can even identify pictures by pointing. We know that the only way to understand and help Ryan is to orient ourselves with seminars and readings on Autism. The seminars that the center conducts have helped us grow as parents. We consider TOGETHER our partner in raising our son.

Nothing is really impossible if we work hand in hand with the help of the Almighty God for miracles do happen every day.

By: Jocelyn Ortega-Tiplani

On July 28, 1997, I gave birth to a chubby baby girl whom I've named JOHAIRA. Rah-Rah as the family fondly calls her, is really an angel. She doesn't cry much and always smiles whenever a member of the family plays with her.

When Rah-Rah was four months old, I would leave her with my parents and her yaya whenever I go to work. She is usually left in her crib with her toys because my parents were quite old that they couldn't play with her. She was only out of her crib during mealtime and when it was time for her bath. This routine continued until she was three years old.

I was a bit surprised when she only started to walk and talk in syllables at the age of 3, but I just told myself it is because she was always in her crib. Whenever we call her, she always gives her sweet smile which means that she is responding. Every time she hears music, she jumps up and down and dances happily. If she wants something, she will come to me or to the other members of the household then she will just point the things she wants. She can already recognize people around her and name some animals and objects like DOG, MIMING (cat) and MOON. But whenever my daughter is with other children, I could see the difference. Her younger cousins can talk in complete sentences while my daughter can only talk in syllables. Then I just told myself that Rah-Rah is a late bloomer.

At the age of five I enrolled her in a nursery school but the teacher commented that she is not ready and that she should be sent to a special school. She manifested behaviors of a child with learning disability. A friend of my sister informed me about TOGETHER which I immediately sought.

It inspired me to know that my little angel has a chance after all. It's been almost a year now since Rah-Rah has been with TOGETHER. I've noticed many developments in my daughter in which I am grateful for. I am so thankful that a center like this has been put up for special angels and most of all to God for giving me hope, for my Rah-Rah is His gift to us.

By: Katrina Cua

Good morning!

I am Katrina Cua, I have a son here since year 2000.

We never noticed wrong with him until he was 2 ½ years old. He was very normal then, like any other baby, he sing , he call his father name by his nickname , watch tv , plays  and interacts with us, Parents , suddenly he retrogressed. He stop talking , he avoid eye contact and he started lining his toys. I became worried. I started questioning friends, doctors, and relatives. One day my mom gave me a copy of a reader's digest where in there was a write-up about children with behavioral problem. It states there that if your child exhibit seven of these symptoms, consult a physicians. My son has only seven so I was in denial stage for a while. Late one evening my husband and I surf the internet on children with behavioral problem. We realized that Kyle has really behavioral problem. At the age 2 ½ we brought him to Manila to a Neuro-Developmental Pediatrician. He was diagnosed to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. We were referred to an Occupational Therapist. Kyle underwent therapy session for 2 mos. Due to back of funds we came home and took with us a home based program. There were no occupational therapists in Zamboanga City during that time so we really had a hard time. I went to all schools looking for a place was Kyle could be accommodated with his special needs. Sad to say there were only 2. The one in Tetuan and Together. I choose Together 

At the age 3 ½ Kyle went on a hunger strike for a period of 30 days. I was beside myself not knowing what to do or how to make him take a little food. He only drink 1oz of water a day. Right before my eyes I could see my son slipping away. He began to loose weight with dark circles under his eyes. Local doctors were hesitant to give Kyle medication since it might trigger depression. So we were advised to have his blood sample sent to a very good doctor in China who specializes in autism. After a week or so. We received the doctors instruction telling us to give 1 drop of amino-acid, gradually increasing. After a month, He saw my brother eating Pringles, and he got a piece. And then, He was on a Pringles diet for a year. As of today, Kyle lives on junk foods. He does not eat rice but takes a lot of juices.

Looking at him, you would not believe he has an eating problem. I would like you to see my son for yourself. (call Kyle).

Thank you!

BRIEF BACKGROUND

TOGETHER begun as early as 1990 by a Korean Missionary to serve the Almighty God through loving and teaching the special children. Finally in 1993, this vision was realized. Different programs were formed as a result of the invitation to families with special children from every community in Zamboanga City.

TOGETHER means PARTNERSHIP or COOPERATION for without the partnership of parents and teachers, no special child can be improved. That is the reason why we named it TOGETHER SPED CENTER FOUNDATION INC. It is a non-stock, non-profit educational foundation duly registered in Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).




VISION

TOGETHER envisions itself as an exemplary special education center with the commitment to share the love of God; providing quality training and resources to the persons with disabilities, their families, and their respective communities.


MISSION

TOGETHER adapts a wholistic approach and is committed to reach out to every single individual regardless of social, economical and religious differences.


GOALS

TOGETHER aims to assist the persons with disabilities to reach their full potential for mainstreaming in a regular school and/or community.



OBJECTIVES

To train the persons with disabilities in a safe, supportive, structured learning environment where he/she is provided with highly trained staff, educational tools and materials necessary to gain knowledge and skills.

To establish a hand-in-hand partnership with the parents and family members in continuous implementation of Individualized Educational Program at home and to provide on-going evaluation.

To train families, social/community workers, and private/public school teachers in enhancing their basic skills for mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in the regular classes and community.

To collaborate among the schools, NGO's, government offices and establishments in supporting the persons with disabilities for the full mainstreaming in the community.

To provide Special Education reading materials to families and communities through the Library and Broad Band Internet which are available for free access.

TOGETHER SPED CENTER FOUNDATION, INC.
317-B Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City,
7000 Philippines
Website: http://www.together.org.ph
Landline: +63.62.9917251, Mobile: +63.921.4477885
Email: info@together.org.ph