Brazil addresses rights for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In Brazil, new legal and legislative developments are addressing the rights of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In Várzea Grande, Mayor Flávia Moretti sanctioned Law No. 5.575/2026, which guarantees priority in enrollment, re-enrollment, and transfers for students with ASD within the municipal school system. The law aims to facilitate access by offering spots preferably near the student's residence or the legal guardian's workplace and mandates schools to provide necessary support, such as specialized educational services and school support professionals.

On a judicial level, the Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) has designated a repetitive resource theme (Theme 1,463) to decide whether health insurance providers are required to cover music therapy for beneficiaries with ASD. Minister Raul Araújo, the rapporteur, suspended similar cases in lower courts to ensure legal certainty and uniformity. The ruling will clarify if coverage is mandatory even when the procedure is not listed in the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) directory, provided it is medically prescribed.