Pardon the ignorance, but does the government even have a reliable national registry for Filipino children with Autism Spectrum Disorders? What cannot be measured cannot be improved.

As the country concludes its observance of Children’s Month, we reflect on the impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) on children. In this two-part column, the discussion is shaped by the perspectives of mothers and health care professionals who work closely in addressing the needs of children with this diverse group of conditions.

The World Health Organization explains that ASD are “characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviors, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details, and unusual reactions to sensations.”

An estimated 1.2 million Filipinos are living with autism, based on figures from the Autism Society of the Philippines as cited by Capitol Medical Center.

Jean stood up for her daughter

She shared that she first sought a developmental pediatrician before her daughter turned two, worried that the child might be deaf or mute because she showed no response when called. The initial diagnosis was global developmental delay, later confirmed as level 1 autism at age five. The news was overwhelming and devastating, especially at a time when information about autism was far less accessible. She recalled the emotional process that followed: sadness, worry, and the gradual journey toward acceptance.

Within weeks, she resolved to stand up for her daughter, recognizing that her child depended on her. Her family also felt the weight of the diagnosis, but they became her strongest support system. Feeling that the first consultation offered little hope, she sought a second opinion, determined to understand her daughter’s needs and provide the care she deserved.

Raquel fully embraced her son’s condition

She recounted noticing early signs of developmental challenges when her son was four years old. He had significant speech delays, did not respond when called by name, avoided playing with other children, and showed behaviors such as spinning objects, echolalia, side glancing, jumping, and sensitivity to sound and taste. After an assessment with Dr. Salazar, a developmental pediatrician from the University of Santo Tomas, she was advised to begin occupational therapy so she could catch up developmentally.

At first, she was in denial, hoping he was simply developing late. But after six months, and through conversations with other parents, she gradually accepted that fully embracing her son’s condition was the only way to truly help him. She realized that teaching and understanding a child with autism requires tremendous patience, something that becomes difficult to give wholeheartedly if acceptance is incomplete.

She also went through a period of questioning herself, wondering what went wrong despite having complete prenatal checkups and vitamins. Unlike others, she did not have a support system; with her husband working overseas, she managed her son’s needs alone. Despite the emotional and practical challenges, she remained steadfast, committed to giving her child the care and understanding he deserves.

Lorinel knew the diagnosis did not define his son

She vividly recalled the day her son received his diagnosis. He was about two years old when she began noticing differences in his speech development compared to other children; he was often quiet, seemed withdrawn, and displayed repetitive movements. At first, she thought he might simply be a late bloomer, something she believed was common among boys, but a mother’s intuition told her otherwise. When the developmental pediatrician explained the findings, she felt as if the world slowed down, trying to absorb every word while holding back tears.

Acceptance did not come immediately. She went through a period of denial, hoping the doctors were mistaken or that it was just a passing phase. As a teacher accustomed to finding solutions to problems, she found this experience uniquely overwhelming. Over time, however, acceptance grew alongside understanding. She realized that the diagnosis did not define her son; instead, it allowed her to understand him more deeply. With steady support from her family, she learned to navigate the difficult days, finding strength in knowing they were all facing the journey together.

Changes, challenges and cheers

Jean shared that being a full-time parent at the time of her daughter’s diagnosis allowed her to focus entirely on therapy and home-based activities, which she believes contributed to her child’s early progress. She immersed herself in researching autism, adjusted their home environment, and poured her energy into helping her daughter connect, hoping one day to hear her say “Mommy.”

The emotional weight was heavy: exhaustion without complaint, loneliness, and nights filled with worry about the future. She eventually found support through content creation and the Moms Support Moms PH community, which became a safe space during difficult moments.

Her journey taught her to celebrate small wins, practice patience, and embrace unconditional love. Whenever she feels overwhelmed, she pauses to pray and breathe, reminding herself that her daughter needs a mother who is present, steady, and strong.

Raquel shared that managing therapy and daily activities for her child at home can be challenging, especially with household chores and side hustles. She does her best to dedicate time and energy, sometimes giving 40% effort personally while her husband ensures their child’s therapy needs are met.

Challenges arise during tantrums or busy days, particularly when she has no one to help temporarily care for her child. “Me time,” like going out with friends or visiting relatives, becomes essential for her own balance. She also finds support in the Moms Support Moms PH community, especially from co-admins like Mommy Jean, and vents to friends or her close circle when needed.

Her motivation is her child’s growth. She strives to remain emotionally and physically strong, believing that her own well-being enables her to guide, teach, and nurture her six-year-old in all aspects of life.

Lorinel shared how as a working mother she learned to balance teaching, therapy schedules, online research, and purposeful playtime with her son. She adapted her routines, even creating visual cues at home, and sometimes adjusted work commitments to spend more time with him. Despite the exhaustion, every small milestone feels like a huge reward.

She admitted that the hardest days are when she feels she is not doing enough, especially when her son struggles to connect with other children or faces misunderstandings from others. Support groups like Moms Support Moms PH and her faith provide strength, while content creation helps her process emotions and inspire other moms.

Through it all, her son has taught her the meaning of unconditional love, patience, and gratitude. Today, even small moments and simple expressions from him feel miraculous, reminding her that progress is not always linear, but every victory is worth celebrating.

To be continued in the next column