"A sister's love inspires autism advocacy"

“A sister's love inspires autism advocacy”
SunStar Davao, June 7, 2025

At age 2, Alessandra Monique “Nikkey” Ang’s sister Trixey was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“At that time, I wasn’t really sure what that meant,” Nikkey recalls. “All I knew was that she was different, and that we, as a family, needed to make adjustments to accommodate her needs.”

The reality of this challenge became particularly evident during the pandemic, when therapy centers closed and Nikkey took on the responsibility of continuing Trixey's special education at home. Those months taught her the importance of advocating for inclusive education and celebrating small victories in a child's developmental journey.

Recently, Nikkey launched a meaningful project close to her heart.

                      

"Autismbilities: A Spectrum of Possibilities" is a student-led initiative providing practical resources for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The project addresses a critical gap in the Philippines, where children with autism often remain undiagnosed for years while families struggle without adequate support, affordable therapy, or properly equipped schools.

                              

The Davao Christian High School graduate’s initiative is in collaboration with author Geraldine Solis, M.Sc. Psych., and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Davao.

Comprehensive resource for early intervention

The project's cornerstone publication, “First Steps: A Family Starter Guide on Autism”, is a comprehensive guidebook that explains what autism is, how to recognize early signs, and provides simple home exercises for impactful early intervention in children aged 0–5. The book also includes self-care guidance for parents and DIY activities.

                          

Since its official launch on May 22, 2025, the book has reached 1,500 families across 15 centers in Davao City. It is now freely available online under the Creative Commons License, ensuring that financial constraints will not prevent families from accessing vital information.

The project gained public recognition when it was introduced during the Autism Society Philippines' Angel’s Walk on April 13, 2025, and earned 1st Runner-Up for Best Project at the 58th Search for the Most Outstanding High School Graduate of JCI Davao on April 4, 2025.

Expanding reach and impact

“Through this project, we hope to help people recognize that children like Trixey are special—not because of their different needs, but because they bring a unique kind of joy to our lives as they teach us to celebrate every small win that comes our way,” Nikkey explains.

The project team is currently developing Tagalog and Bisaya translations to expand accessibility, along with derivative materials for distribution in barangay halls and health centers. Additional volumes focusing on family welfare and inclusive classrooms are also in development.

Autismbilities is actively seeking partners who believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, including educational institutions ready to embrace inclusion, healthcare organizations serving families, NGOs championing special needs advocacy, publishers aiming to amplify important voices, and community leaders committed to building bridges of understanding.

For families who could benefit from this resource—or organizations interested in partnership opportunities—the guidebook is available for free download. Multiple ways to connect with the project are readily accessible.

Follow the project on Facebook: Autismbilities PH and Instagram: @autismbilitiesph.