Support groups have become great allies for those who live with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Next Tuesday, April 2nd, marks the International Autism Awareness Day, an important date for reflection and learning. According to data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in the United States, one out of every 36 children has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD brings many questions, curiosities, fears, and other feelings to all involved, given the complexity of the topic. In the daily journey of living with individuals with ASD, support groups among family members create safe spaces for sharing experiences and provide the necessary support to face daily challenges. With the aim of promoting a support network and inclusion of individuals with ASD, the Ramacrisna Institute initiated a group dedicated to preparing parents and caregivers of children with ASD through the CASA Project. “We had a huge demand from families and even professionals in Betim. It is a different model, free, which combines information and support, and which the population would hardly get through another channel,” says the coordinator of the project’s Polo 10 and Autism Specialist Physiotherapist, Ana Paola Menezes. As an atypical mother, Ana’s experiences, combined with the techniques of psychologists working at the Institute, helped shape the classes. In the group, Ana Paula Reinaldo, an atypical mother for 17 years, found the support she had been seeking for a long time. “I found out that my son had ASD when he was four years old, and at the time, I didn’t know what it was. Today, we have the chance to know, study, and help other families who also need it,” she says.
In addition to the guidance of the professionals who make up the team, the course offers support materials for consultation and covers everything from basic concepts about autism to issues related to comorbidities, such as genetic syndromes. The success of the initially temporary training was so great that participants requested its continuation. The next class will begin on April 8th. Classes are held at Polo 10 (Rua Joaquim Pereira, nº58, Angola, in Betim) with four groups, in morning and afternoon sessions, on Mondays and Thursdays. For more information on registration, please contact us at: (31) 99619-4290. *Atypical mother is the term used to refer to mothers of individuals with ASD.
Inclusion
At the Ramacrisna Institute, inclusion actions are not limited to children; they are worked on in all stages of an individual’s life, including its employees and apprentices – who are part of the Adolescent Apprentice program. Like Matheus Resende, who discovered he had ASD just a year ago, during his entry into the job market. The late diagnosis, at 16 years old, brought a lot of fear and insecurity, but also relief. “Understanding my condition helped me devise ways to deal with the obstacles that arise in everyday life. I always had the purpose that a limitation does not define you. What defines you is how you overcome that limitation, and the Ramacrisna Institute offered me all the necessary support to understand and adapt to my diagnosis. I never felt that I am different. Here it feels like I’m at home!” he says.
About the CASA Project
The CASA Project (Culture, Social Assistance, and Sports Activities), a joint initiative between the Ramacrisna Institute and the Municipal Government of Betim, was conceived with the purpose of offering a variety of free activities and courses to Betim residents. Distributed in 24 poles and covering all 10 regions of the city, the project encompasses a variety of activities, including sports, crafts, music, and professional training.
