IdeiaSUS Fiocruz highlights attention and care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

On World Autism Awareness Day (2/4), the IdeiaSUS Fiocruz Platform highlights three important initiatives of the Unified Health System (SUS) of care for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), published in its practice bank, currently with 3,142 SUS health experiences.

From Monteiro, in Paraíba, comes the experience ASD/ADHD: inclusion without discrimination. The initiative included 274 children with ASD and 150 with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a rehabilitation and inclusive education process.

Already Diagnostic assessment of ASD in the SUS and parental training as a primary form of intervention, experience in Itatiaia (RJ), born in 2023, includes psychological assessment for suspected cases of autism, carried out by the city’s Psychosocial Care Center (Caps I), and a group of mothers, fathers and caregivers focused on addressing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a practice with greater scientific evidence to be used in cases of ASD. The proposal arises from the observation of the increase in the number of children diagnosed and adolescents and adults diagnosed late.

Finally, the practice Inclusive reception in the immunization of autistic patients – Garrafinha Sensorial da Calma in addition to addressing the characteristics of autistic people, it promotes humanized care for both people with ASD and their families, through the implementation of work workshops and the production of sensory bottles of calm, a facilitating tool in situations of anxiety, agitation and stress. The project was born in the midst of the immunization process against Covid-19 for this public, who almost always arrived at the vaccination sites agitated. The practice is also the subject of one of the 72 episodes of Vozes da Saúde, available on IdeiaSUS channel on YouTube.

The date was created by the United Nations (UN), in 2007, to provide information to the population to reduce discrimination and prejudice against individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is a health condition characterized by challenges in social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. However, appropriate therapies for each case, as highlighted by IdeiaSUS Fiocruz, can help these people improve their relationship with the world, helping them to gain their place in society.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD symptoms appear in childhood and tend to last throughout adolescence and adulthood, often appearing in the first five years of life. Individuals affected by ASD commonly present with conditions such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), reflecting a wide range of variations in intellectual level, ranging from profound deterioration to cases with exceptional cognitive abilities.

While some people with ASD achieve relative independence, others face severe disabilities, requiring ongoing attention and support throughout their lives. However, this does not mean not conquering your space in society. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions, such as behavioral therapy and training programs for parents, have the potential to mitigate difficulties in communication and social interaction, thus promoting the well-being and quality of life of both individuals with ASD and their caregivers.