ABSTRACT

Title : THE HOLISTIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT MANAGEMENT

NEEDED OF AN AUTISTIC PERSON

Researchers : Daniel A. Lazarte - Lead Researcher

Mark Amiel I. Almanza - Member

Adriel Rhenz R. Pomer - Member

Althea Marie Albitos - Member

Irene Grace Espino - Member

Czarina Marie G. Zulueta - Member

Adviser : Mr. Aldrin S. Dela Cruz, LPT

School : St. Catherine of Siena Academy

Requirement for : Practical Research 2

Year : 2nd Semester, SY: 2018-2019

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Statement of the Problem:

The purpose of this study is to describe the life of an autistic person. This study aims to help the

autistic people by aiding them to be understood by the people around the them.

Specifically, it seeks the answer to the following questions:

1. What are the holistic needs of an autistic person?

2. What are the needed support management systems to be developed by the

family and community?

Methods Used:

The qualitative method of research was used in this study employing in-depth interview

with the respondents. The respondents were chosen based on recommendation and availability.

Findings:

The findings of the study show the results of the data gathered by the researchers from

the respondents for Rhoebe Fermin.

This study finds that education is important for the social needs of an individual.

According to Disabil (2017), education, socialization, and independent living are essential for the

people who have autism. Having quality education is necessary for them, to associate around

people. Despite of having disabilities they need enough guidance and learning. This study

identifies and understands the needs of autistic person. It is related to the present study because it

clarifies the needs of autistic person despite of having these challenges. Rhoebe can be more

associated with people through the people she meets at school. She meets classmates, teachers

and other school staffs that can improve her socialization.

This research finds that Autistic individuals need different paraphernalia in coping with

their fears and stressors. In case of Rhoebe, she need things like headphones to distract her from

the noise of fireworks which scares her. A study of Gomez (2013), is about the quality of life of

parents of children with special needs. Moreover, the results of the study can cause development

for parents to improve their ways in handling their child with ASD. This study is related to the

present study because it includes the support management system of the parent of Children with

Special Needs (CWSN), and the community through the policy makers who can build laws in

support for the person with autism.

 Also, ASD can worsen if there are no proper interventions, educational basement and

therapy. This supports the needs of an autistic individual when it comes to proper treatment. This

study found out that regular schooling will not help autistic person to move out of their own

world that’s why proper intervention should be implemented and autistic individual should

undergo different types of therapies as according to the doctor who diagnosed the child. In

therapies, the psychological, and behavioral needs of an autistic child can be addressed as said by

Mr. Bong Sy. According to Sy (2019), therapies develops the behavior of an autistic child

through different approach like establishing eye contact and sitting tolerance. Then, the

development of cognitive skills will follow after establishing a good behavior.

For the support management system, early intervention is needed as advised by Sy

(2019). If a child has symptoms of ASD, check-up is needed. Then, proper therapy will be given

to the autistic child. The development of the therapy should be accompanied by support of the

parents. According to the observation of Bart (2019), there are sudden developments with his

autistic child, but it fades over time. This can be challenging to parents because according to a

study of Bonis (2016), parents of children with ASD score higher on levels of stress than other

groups of parents. The daily challenges of caring for the child are endless and effect all aspects

of the child's care as well as the parent's mental health and ability to manage the needs of the

child and family.

Support management system also requires the participation of the community. Hill

(2017), explains that people with ASD can possibly perform better in the society where they can

discover their strengths and talents. People who surrounds Rhoebe may be a great factor in

discovering her skills. The researchers have discovered the ability of Rhoebe, she is good in

solving puzzles. To support her ability, Mrs. Cuarta - Rhoebe's teacher, provides puzzles to
develop her skill. Also, in the case of Rhoebe Fermin, the researchers found out that she is good

at gadgets and likes to play with it all the time. But gadgets must be limited to the autistic person

because it triggers the child to have their own world. According to the study of Sansosti, J, et. al

(2014), the autistic people who uses computers or gadgets helps to identify their skills. Behind

this, the guidance of parents is very important for the child to not get too attached with the device

even though it is stated that they can understand the unpredictable world with the help of

computers. Next thing, ASD people divert their interest in necessary information that leads as

their motivation which is what the computer contains and show in general. On the other hand,

this benefit does not assure the development of social skills of autistic person. The statement

given by behavioral therapists suggested talking with this autistic people rather than letting them

use gadgets more often. It is also their rights to play because those things are reinforcing to them

and also, they can know things more but it should be only allowed on limited time.

Conclusion:

Rhoebe was born with a normal appearance until she reached the age of 2 and her

behavior is not normal compared to other child. Having autism was the finding of the Doctor to

the case of Rhoebe. Autism has no cure, but early intervention can lead to better results. To

support Rhoebe, her parents did some research about her case on what is the best way to do with

an autistic person. They care a lot, understand what her needs and they love their child

wholeheartedly even she has an autism. They try to enroll her in school but some school denied

her because of her case. But her parents are very persistent in enrolling her in school because for

them Rhoebe and his case is very special and they trust Rhoebe’s ability to do work not only in

their house but also in school. Many children with ASD achieve basic academic skills
commensurate with or higher than their cognitive ability. Rhoebe’s ability in making the puzzle

with 100 pieces is very surprising and amazing. It is her skill that no other child like her age can

arrange the puzzle. Some people who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty in

expressing their thoughts in a way that can be easily understood. So, her parents and teacher

really understand the expression she wants to express just like when she’s happy and sad. But in

some point, she's not good in having a conversation because of her behavior. To an autistic child,

support is vital for the development. Part of this support will come from the team of health care

professionals treating your child and educating you as the parent of a child with autism spectrum

disorder. Although autism spectrum disorder can't be cured, most children can live a happy,

productive life by taking part in therapy. The parents of the child with ASD need to provide a

proper treatment to their child at early age especially therapy. In her case, lack of money is the

problem of her parents. She can’t go in therapy because the budget is not enough to have a

session every day that costs 600 pesos per session. Also, support of community is also important.

People should accept them and stop discriminating them and treat them as a normal person

because despite of having disorder they need enough guidance and learning.

Recommendations

As for the recommendation, we would like to highlight the significance of formality; a

proper way of communicating to elderlies especially to professionals. It is also likely to check

the respondents' availability. If ever there are changes, the researchers can adjust with the

schedule of interview. Researchers would not like to bother them in some important events. The

researchers recommend the parents to send their child on a doctor once they observe a different

behavior shown by their kids. It is also recommended to send them on therapists once diagnosed
with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parents should always keep an eye to their kids while in the

process of therapy. Communication is very important that is why parents should talk with their

child to enhance their social skills. Limit their time in using gadgets so that they won't be too

attached with the device. The parents play an important role with the autistic that is why parents

have to guide their child and give them the support needed. Researchers also recommend the

teachers to discuss autism to students in order to inform them about the disorder. Students are

expected to understand the topic so if ever they'll encounter an autistic person, they can consider

the situation without giving judgment or misconception. For the future researchers, the study

about autism requires applying deeper understanding. It is easier to accomplish the research

paper if the researchers have knowledge about the said topic. Follow good manners in

communicating with new respondents for better results. Make sure to value your time so the

study can end with a detailed and informative type of research.