Brazil expands autism care services in Tocantins

In the state of Tocantins, Brazil, health authorities and legal bodies are taking steps to improve specialized care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In Alvorada, the Public Prosecutor's Office (MPTO) has issued a recommendation to the municipal government to eliminate waiting lists and end restrictions on medical consultations. The recommendation seeks to expand multidisciplinary teams and ensure that therapy frequency is determined by individual medical needs rather than fixed weekly limits.

To address the backlog of children awaiting diagnoses and treatments, the MPTO suggested an emergency plan including assessment marathons and the hiring of new professionals. Meanwhile, in Castilho, the inauguration of the TEAcolhe specialized center has established a structured care pathway. This system integrates primary health care with specialized services, allowing children to receive developmental stimulation as soon as warning signs are identified, even before a formal diagnosis is finalized.