Autismo no Brasil: um olhar diferenciado

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized as a neurodevelopmental condition marked by changes in communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behavioral patterns. In Brazil, although the topic has been gaining greater scientific and social visibility, there are still gaps regarding the understanding of the experiences, needs, and perspectives related to the disorder. OBJECTIVE: Analyze Brazilian scientific publications on Autism Spectrum Disorder from the perspective of an autistic person. METHODOLOGY: This is an exploratory study, a narrative literature review with a qualitative approach, conducted through searches in the Virtual Health Library database and the Journal Portal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, between January and April 2026, using the descriptors “Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “Autism,” and “Brazil,” associated through the boolean operator AND. Data analysis was conducted according to Laurence Bardin’s content analysis technique. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: An increase in publications was observed from 2021 onward, with a greater concentration in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The findings were organized into three main axes: education, health, and family. In education, difficulties related to school inclusion, lack of professional training, institutional barriers, and the invisibility of the specific needs of autistic students were evidenced. In health, the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary follow-up, and the expansion of humanized therapeutic practices were highlighted, in addition to discussions involving mental health, food selectivity, sensory overload, and increased risk of psychological distress. Within the family context, it was observed that welcoming attitudes, emotional support, and support networks play a fundamental role in the development, autonomy, and quality of life of autistic individuals. Limitations in the implementation of public policies and the persistence of social stigmas related to ASD were also identified. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that, despite the legal and scientific advances related to Autism Spectrum Disorder in Brazil, important limitations still exist regarding the implementation of rights, effective inclusion, and the construction of truly humanized practices. It was evidenced that health, education, and family play an interdependent role in the development and quality of life of autistic individuals. From the perspective of the autistic author, there is also a need to expand spaces of listening, belonging, and protagonism for autistic people themselves, recognizing their singularities and experiences.