EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 965
of Il)i d'cartarp
•19 
AUG 27 PA'M
RECt.'.
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
PROVIDING 
FOR 
THE 
IDENTIFICATION, 
ASSESSMENT, 
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
AND
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them."
Article II, Section 24 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State recognizes the vital role of communication and 
information in nation-building."
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurobehavioral condition that 
includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and 
communication skills combined with rigid and repetitive behaviors. It ranges in 
severity from a handicap that limits a normal life to an overwhelming disability 
that requires institutional care.
The symptoms of ASD among children typically appear during the first three 
years of their lives. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorder (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association used 
to diagnose people with ASD as having difficulty with communication and


interaction with other people, they demonstrate restricted interests and repetitive 
behavior, and show symptoms that hurt a person's ability to function properly in 
school, work, and other areas of life. The different types and severities of ASD 
include Autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive development 
disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
The proposed bill seeks to provide for the identification, assessment, and 
education of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in pursuance of helping 
them handle and cope with its detrimental effects.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S.B. NO.
sNrif6 5
^ '© K it r  of t!;t fei trrtnr?
*19 
AUG 27 
P4-44
RECEi' D 3',
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT
PROVIDING 
FOR 
THE 
IDENTIFICATION, 
ASSESSMENT, 
AND 
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Autism Spectrum 
Disorder Management Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them.
It is also the policy of the State to promote and protect the physical,
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moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being of the youth recognizing their
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vital role in nation-building.
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the terms below
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shall mean as follows:
(a) "Autism spectrum disorder" is a complex developmental 
disability 
that 
includes 
Autism, 
Asperger 
Syndrome, 
Pervasive Development Disorder, NOS, Rett Syndrome, and 
Child Disintegrative Disorder, as diagnosed by a licensed 
physician;


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(b) "Differently-abled children" are those under the age of
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eighteen years who have not completed an approved high
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school program and who, because of mental, physical,
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emotional or learning problems, including but not limited to
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autism spectrum disorder as defined in this section, require
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special educational services;
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(c) "Gifted children" are those under the age of eighteen years
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who exhibit precocious development of mental capacity and
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learning potential as determined by competent professional
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evaluation to the extent that continued educational growth
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and stimulation could best be served by an academic
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environment beyond that offered through a standard grade-
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level curriculum;
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(d) "Special education services" are programs designed to meet
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the educational needs of differently-abled which include,
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but are not limited to, the provision of diagnostic and
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evaluation service, student and parent counseling, itinerant,
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homebound and referral assistance, organized instructional
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and therapeutic programs, transportation, and corrective
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and supporting services.
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Sec. 4. Special Needs Identification and Education Program. -  The Special
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Needs Identification and Education Program shall involve the special needs
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identification and education training for selected public school teachers.
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Sec. 5. Autism Ombudsman. -  The Secretary of Education shall appoint an
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autism ombudsman to develop best practice guidelines for the educational
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assessment and interventions for differently-abled children from three years of
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age. Regional professional development centers must have an autism specialist
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available. Early childhood education centers shall be established, subject to
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appropriations, giving priority to regions where there are limited or nonexistent 
resource and a significant need.
Sec. 6. Review o f Special Needs Education Services. -  The Secretary of 
Education shall appoint such regional and city advisory committees as he deems 
necessary to review special education services to differently-abled children, 
including children with autism spectrum disorder as defined in this Act and to 
consider any problems with respect to the provision of educational services to 
differently-abled children and to give advice thereon. Such committees shall 
include persons broadly representative of community organizations interested in 
the differently-abled, professions related to the educational needs of the 
differently abled, and the general public. The members of such committees shall 
serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Education.
Sec. 7. Autism Spectrum Disorder Research and Report. -  The Department 
of Health and the Department of Education shall jointly prepare and submit to 
Congress for its review and consideration of a 10-year strategic plan within one 
(1) year after the effectivity of this Act to address the growing number of 
persons who need services for autism spectrum disorder.
The study shall -
(a) determine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder 
among students;
(b) evaluate the extent to which students with autism spectrum 
disorder are more likely to miss school, have delayed rates 
of development, or have reduced cognitive skills; and
(c) report on current national and local programs to educate 
the youth about the treatment of autism spectrum disorder, 
as well as evaluate the value of such programs.


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Sec. 
8. 
Funding. 
-  
The 
amount 
of 
RFTY 
MILLION 
PESOS 
(P50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the programs established under this 
Act. This shall be included in the annual budget of the Department of Education.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,