Solon seeks stipend, free therapy under proposed National Autism Program

Bacolod Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez is urging his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a measure aimed at providing financial relief to families of an estimated one million Filipinos living with autism.

Citing data from the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), Benitez said autism affects one in every 100 individuals, translating to about 1.2 million Filipinos. Of this number, nearly 350,000 are children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Assessment and treatment for autism is, sadly, still out of reach for many families in the Philippines. I believe that the National Autism Program bill is a necessary intervention to ensure that persons with autism (POS) are able to access timely assessment and treatment,” Benitez said.

Benitez has filed House Bill No. 3379, which seeks to establish an Autism Support Allowance Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The proposed program would provide a regular stipend of P4,000 to families with persons with autism.

The lawmaker said the amount could significantly ease the financial burden on families, noting that initial consultations alone cost around P4,000 to P5,000 per session.

For confirmed ASD diagnoses, Benitez said recommended therapy of four to five sessions a week costs about P1,000 per session, expenses that many families cannot afford.

He said the proposal is intended to support approximately 1.2 million Filipinos with autism, including nearly 350,000 children.

Aside from financial assistance, the measure also seeks to provide free developmental assessments for all Filipino children up to five years old, free occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy in hospitals under the Department of Health, and free medicines for persons with autism diagnosed with Level 3 Autism.

Benitez stressed the need for stronger government support to help persons with autism become productive members of society.

He added that experts do not consider autism a disease that needs curing but a difference in neurological development. However, he said the lack of support often leads to the exclusion of persons with autism from public life, even though many could otherwise contribute meaningfully to society.

The lawmaker also urged the government to address barriers to early intervention, including the shortage of developmental pediatricians, long waiting times for proper assessment, and the high cost of consultations and therapy.

Autism Consciousness Week in the Philippines is observed during the third week of January under Proclamation No. 711 issued in 1996, which aims to promote public awareness and social acceptance of persons with autism.