“Mama Dang”, as she is affectionately called, was elevated as the Chair Emeritus of Autism Society Philippines (ASP), after six years of trailblazing leadership as the society’s National President from 2004-2009. The ASP is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become, to the best of their potentials — self-reliant, productive, independent and socially-accepted members of an Autism-OK Philippines. The organization is set to celebrate its 30 years of autism advocacy in 2019. From the 11 mothers in 1989, the ASP has grown to 13,000 members, across 96 chapters nationwide. In 2016, the ASP successfully hosted all ASEAN countries, including Japan, for the Angels Walk for Autism for the first time — a tradition that continues annually to this day.  ASP continues to be at the forefront of establishing institutional mechanisms to improve the lives of persons with autism and their families — with continuous education and empowerment of parents; with participation in the development of the National Autism Care Plan Bill and other relevant laws, and universal healthcare and therapy packages for children with autism; and with economic empowerment programs for adults on the spectrum through employment and sheltered workshops. She inspires emerging parent leaders with values rooted in servant-leadership.

Dang Koe was honored with the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) in 2016. “Family Comes First” highlights the core concept in the establishment of ASEAN Autism Network — something in tune with her values as an advocate. AAN is comprised of autism advocacy and family support organizations, representing ten member countries: Laos Association for Autism, Autism Society Philippines, Autistic Thai, Cambodian Intellectual Disability and Autism Network, Myanmar Autism Association, National Autism Society of Malaysia, Singapore Autism Network, SMARTER Brunei, Vietnam Autism Network, and Yayasan Autisma Indonesia. The organization is one of the movers behind the ASEAN Autism Mapping project, which is expected to be the first step in influencing relevant programs and policies for the autism community within the ASEAN member countries; and the biennial ASEAN Autism Games, which fosters friendship, unity and inclusion among the autism communities of Southeast Asia.

Dang Koe is the mother to three boys, including 24 year-old Gio, an adult on the autism spectrum. Gio propels her to be a passionate autism advocate. She manages her advocacies while working full-time as Vice President of Abraham Holdings, Inc.