SAN FRANCISCO - April is Autism Awareness Month. For one Filipino American whose loved one is afflicted with this disorder, awareness is key for change.
Latest government data shows that one in every 68 children in the US has autism.
In the Philippines, where a comprehensive program tracking autism cases has yet to be developed, health officials estimate about one percent of the population or about one million people have the disorder.
Autism Hearts Foundation president Erlinda Borromeo said there are a lot of undetected cases in the Philippines because a lot of parents from poor families don't even know their children have autism and that is why their children do not get proper treatment and intervention.
"When I went to the Philippines, I saw that there were so many who are in need of support. For families, there seems to be nothing, unless you have money in the Philippines," said Borromeo.
Borromeo knows what it means to feel lost when it comes to finding resources for a loved-one. Her grandson, Julien, was diagnosed with autism before he turned two.
She took it upon herself to understand the disorder by earning a Master's degree in special education.
She also became an advocate for autism rights.
In 2007, she co-founded Angels, a community based center that helps families find government-funded services for people with autism.
In 2008, she also co-founded Autism Hearts Foundation.
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Fil-Am autism advocate pushes for more services, programs