Autism Diagnosis Rise Highlights Inclusion Gaps in Brazil and Portugal

Brazil's 2022 census recorded for the first time that about 2.4 million people—roughly 1.2% of the population—have an autism spectrum diagnosis. Researchers note that broader criteria in the DSM‑5 have allowed many adults who were previously undiagnosed to be identified, but delayed diagnosis often leaves them facing anxiety, emotional exhaustion and a sense of non‑belonging. As researcher Ginny Russell of University College London explains, "many adults diagnosed today have always been autistic; what changed was science's ability to identify them."

In Portugal, mother Ana Filipa Tavares recounts receiving her son Afonso’s autism diagnosis when he was under two years old. She describes the moment as "a silent earthquake" that left her "without ground" and says, "I am the bridge that will help him." Afonso now attends school and benefits from intensive speech, occupational and equine therapies, yet the family still confronts challenges such as sensory overload in large schools. Both stories underscore the need for better societal structures and inclusive practices for autistic individuals across the lifespan.