Autism in Brazil Part II

by Leila Couceiro · 2009-04-22 16:00:00 UTC
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[Ed. this is part of the International Perspectives series.]

four cartoon children, the first is holding a toy rabbit and facing right and says \'sou a monica!\', the second is facing left and says nothing, the third is facing right and shaking and has its hand out as if to shake hands and says \'er...\' the fourth is facing left and says \'o andre e...\'If families dealing with autism have had such and uphill battle in the richest countries in the world, one can only imagine what it's like in a country where the government already has its hands full trying to reduce extreme poverty and improve the dilapidated public schools and public health system in which the population relies heavily. The only way for autistic Brazilians to become a priority will be by increased awareness and pressure from public opinion, and maybe it could be achieved if one of the main pastimes in the country--the 9 p.m. daily drama episode show at Globo TV--brings a new character with autism. It may be very possible, since the "novelas" typically showcase social issues and very recently they had characters and actors with Down Syndrome talking about inclusion--one of them was young actress Joana Mocarzel, who was such a hit that now you can buy a doll with her features.

While we haven't had a major autistic character in a "novella", AMA-Sao Paulo had favorite children's author Mauricio de Souza produce animated videos and comic books with a cute autistic character, Andre.

Leila Couceiro
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