ELEVATOR PITCH TOPICS

TOPIC (1st):

Educational Learning Centre for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Integrating
Therapeutic Architecture and Multi-Sensory Design Approach)

PROBLEM:

There is a Lack of learning facilities for children with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder
here in the Philippines.

 ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the developmental disabilities that exists
nowadays and Children with autism are one of the most vulnerable individuals in our
society who have special needs and prone to psychosocial stress, sensory challenges, and
behavioural compulsivity, that is why the demand for a facility that will accommodate
and cater their needs is very important.
 To give you a context about ASD:

Centre for Autism & Related Disorders

ASD is a lifelong and brain-based disorder that affects or prevents the

afflicted individual from achieving its full potential. It impacts the way they
receive information and socialize with others.

People with ASD often have problems in social communication, interaction

and have repetitive behaviours and habits. They have different ways of learning,
moving, and understanding which can really make their daily lives very
challenging.

Moreover, some of the few indicators of kids with autism is that they have
speech and movement delays, unusual mood swings, unable to respond when they
are called and avoids eye contact which equates to the term “hyporeactive” or
abnormal responses to sensory information.

 Problems of Inclusive education in the Philippines:

a) Lack of Understanding: One of the challenges people with ASD have in the
PH is the Lack of understanding in some communities about the Autism itself
and what inclusive education gives
b) Knowledge and Skills of Teachers: Insufficient knowledge and skills of
teachers who have not met in providing services for them
c) Obsolete Resources: Out of date learning resources
 d) Unresponsive Curriculum: Unresponsive curriculum which doesn’t
addresses the changing needs of kids with ASD
e) Limited Access to Education and Lack of Accessible Proper Facilities:
Lacking of facilities that really supports and facilitates learning process for
children with special needs.
f) Government Support: And most importantly, lack of support from the
government itself.

STATISTICS:

Due to the increasing growth of population here in the Philippines, there is also an
increase to those children who have disabilities and special needs. Specifically, as autism
rates became more and more prevalent, there is an existing lack of attention and equal
opportunities towards them and accessible treatment and learning facilities must also be
increased.

 Based on:

S.B. 1731 (CARES Act of 2023)

It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that there are

more than 1 million Filipinos are with autism and the Autism Society of the
Philippines (ASP) estimates that only 10% of them are diagnosed and only 5% of
them are receiving appropriate interventions.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

Based on this data, it shows in the prevalence rate that around 1.2 million or 1
in every 100 Filipinos have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Department of Education (DepEd)

Despite the obvious need to reach out to learners with Disabilities, out of
13,408 schools in the PH that have SPED Programs, only 648 are SPED Centres
in which 471 of them are for Elementary and 177 are for High School. 84% of
municipalities in the PH do not have SPED Centres accdg. To Basic Education
Sector Transformation Program. Specifically, there were 41 schools in Quezon
City that accepts students/individuals with Autism.

As of the latest S.Y. 2021-2022, there were 126,600 learners with disabilities
are enrolled in DepEd Schools. DepEd stated that the “ideal student-teacher
ratio” for SPED is 15:1, however Gatchalian stressed that there are only 4,000
 SPED teachers. This indicates that with 126,600 learners with disabilities, the
present student ratio is 31:1.

SOLUTION:

“Since my heart goes out for these kids with special gifts, the study I really want to
pursue is to provide a safe and suitable learning environment for children with Autism
which will give them the opportunity to study, learn and empower them to become the
best of their potentials.”

Possible Research Title: A Proposed Learning Centre for Autistic Children: A study on
enhancing cognitive learning through Integrating Neuro-typical and Sensory-Sensitive Design
approaches

Location: The project will be located along J.P. Rizal St. San Mateo, Rizal

 The 3As Philosophy: “Accept, Accommodate, Appreciate.”

 The Proposed Learning Centre aims to produce a stimulation-conducive environment through
the integration of both Neuro-typical and Sensory-Sensitive Design Approaches. Local materials,
patterns, and different sensory experiences are being applied to improve and engage the
learning development of users in the built environment. The design caters to the special needs
of children with Autism just as well as it prepares them for the future.
 Sensory-Sensitive Design Approach: In this approach, the design of the spaces of learning
center is oriented towards making it stimulation-friendly. It keeps the child in the most
comfortable environment, preventing them to become too overwhelmed, and making it best for
skill development.
 To improve the adaptability and wellbeing of ASD kids:

 Sensory Design in relation to Environmental Factors:

a) In terms of Sight: The design of the spaces will focus on moderation and calming color
schemes to avoid the exposure of attendees/students to sudden changes in lights.
b) In terms of Touch: The school will have specific sensory and stress objects and toys.
Designed to stimulate their sense of touch.
c) In terms of Taste: Food will have detailed descriptions of ingredients and taste and also
several options for kids.
d) In terms of Hearing: Avoidance of loud and sudden noises. General volume never gets
too loud or too low. And since the outdoor will be having factors, the school will provide
soundproof materials.
e) In terms of Smell: The space will not be heavily scented with air fresheners and mixed
odors will kept at a minimum.

 Neuro-Typical Design Approach: In this approach, the design of the spaces is oriented towards
making it like a typical day-to-day environment. Neuro-Typical Design approach tests the child's
ability to resilience.
 When both Integrated: The two integrated design approaches are both essential to the
development of the child with autism. It is an ideal approach, and could be established based on
the human brain. Early brain (3 to 7 y/o) is the ideal age to be exposed in a sensory-sensitive
environment since it is the age that has the most grasping power. As the child grows, there
should be a gradual transitioning which will slowly lead to neuro-typical approach. During this
transition, child learns to adapt and eventually becomes manageable and resilient to day-to-day
environment.

According to Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, interactive means people working together and
having an influence on each other while therapeutic means having a good effect on the body or
mind; contributing to a sense of well-being.

Autism Consciousness Week – Every 3 rd week of January

Autism Society of the Philippines
Famous Filipino Parents w/ ASD Kids
– Celebrated for almost 27 years
– Founded in 1989
– Composed of 13,000 members
– There are over 100 Chapters
– Aubrey Miles
– Candy Pangilinan
– Kris Aquino
– Karen Davila
– Martin Nievera
TOPIC (2nd):
H.A.N.A.I.: Home for the Aged: Haven for the Abandoned, Neglected, Abused, and
Indigent Elderlies (Integrating Social Architecture and Holistic Design Approach)

PROBLEM:

Ageing happens to everyone. As we get older, we experience different physical,

psychological, and socio-economic changes that can be challenge for some to adapt.
Examples are physical challenges related to mobility, strength, vision and hearing loss,
and thermal sensitivity. Many live alone, disconnected from their family and friends,
some are physically and mentally abused, mostly are poverty-stricken resulting to
loneliness and despair.

Nowadays in our country, there are a lot of poor Filipinos that can’t afford the standard
way of living. They can’t even afford basic human needs. One of those evident cases are
those elderlies abandoned by their families and living in the streets without having their
needs they should have for their living.

 Some of the problems faced by Elderlies:

a) Cognitive mapping difficulties
b) Partial Dementia
c) Prone to some chronic diseases
d) Depression
e) Financial Insecurity
f) Access to Healthcare services

STATISTICS:

Philippines has been rank as one of the biggest population in the world. According to
WHO it was estimated that as of February 2023, the Philippine Population is
approximately 113.3 million. Over population worsens numerous environmental impacts,
exploitation of natural resources became imminent resulting to social factors such as
pollution, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and lack of better medical
facilities which makes poor communities vulnerable to diseases.

 WORLD DATA ATLAS

In 2022, the number of elderly Filipinos that are those over 65 years old and above is
projected to increase by 5.4%. Population aged 65 years and above of Philippines
 increased from 2.8 % in 1973 to 5.4 % in 2022 growing at an average annual rate of
1.38%.

SOLUTION:

Filipinos have Strong Family Ties that they value and care for older family members. But
because of poverty, some of them are neglected, force to live with their own lives. Due to
the rapid increase of the aging population, the demand for a shelter that will
accommodate and cater their needs especially the poverty-stricken and abused elderlies is
extremely important and relevant. A haven will be provided for them and would be a
response to build a more meaningful sense of community.

Possible Research Title: H.A.N.A.I.: A proposed haven for the abandoned, neglected, abused,
and indigent elderlies: A study on improving elderly care through integrating social architecture
and holistic approach

Location: The site will be located in an urbanized area of Masaya St. Commonwealth
Ave. along Elliptical Road

 Malasakit. Kalinga. Suporta. One of the Filipino words that has a great emotional and
psychological impact to the wellbeing of an individual. Thus, the proposed haven aims to
provide a safe and therapeutic social environment for the elderlies who were homeless,
neglected, and abused by their families and in need of a place where they could live,
adapt, and socialize with other unrelated elderlies. A refuge where they can engage into a
 healthy relationship and lifestyle status, be accepted and part of the whole community
which they can cope up with their past experiences and immense emotions.

 The concept of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs will also be integrated in the project.
 There are five levels in Maslow's pyramid. From the bottom to upwards, the needs are:
P.S.L.E.S: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging
(friendship), esteem (respect), and self-actualization (desire). The importance of this is
that it explains the psychology of human motivation and the things that will bring the best
potential out of them.

 Social Architecture: Social Architecture encourages desired range of social behaviours

and social interactions in individuals making them feel that they are part of a certain
community without having a sense of inclusion. It also analyses and understands how
people think, speak, and act. Also the approach stimulates social participation to activities
the facility will provide creating a more holistic solutions in the buildings we design for.
 Holistic Design Approach: Holistic Approach identifies the individual and provides
support that looks not just into their mental health needs but also at their whole person
considering their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
 When both integrated, they create a people-centric community.