Porto Itapoá confirms resources for the city’s Association of Parents and Friends of People with Autism

With this contribution, the association can increase the number of families assisted as well as the scope of activities offered. Created in 2018, the association is the only one specialized in this subject matter in the city of Itapoá  

The attention and care given to children with autism in Itapoá will receive a big boost: Porto Itapoá will start supporting the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Autism (AMA) so that it may become a reference in the topic of autism. Currently, the association provides occupational therapy services to 16 children in the city. However, with this support it will be able to assist 41 children and services will include psychological treatment and speech therapy, which form – along with occupational therapy – the so-called essential “triad” for the treatment of children with autism.

According to Elvira Lacerda da Luz, AMA’s President, this contribution, made within the scope of the Child and Adolescent Fund Incentive Law, will enable the association to provide children with comprehensive treatment. “The idea is that the children can develop their autonomy in terms of their day-to-day activities”, explains Elvira, who is the mother of a child with autism.

The contribution made will allow the association to hire new professionals who will provide support to the children assisted as well as their families. The funds will be kept in the Child and Adolescent Fund, which is managed by the municipal government, until its spending is authorized. “Now we’re waiting for the funds to be made available by the city’s Department of Welfare”, highlights Elvira.

Porto Itapoá is responsible for providing 100% of the project’s resources. According to Patrícia Dall’Onder, Porto’s Social Responsibility specialist, supporting this institution is another way of contributing to the city’s social development. “AMA has been doing very competent and inspiring work, not only when monitoring and following up on these children with autism, bust also when raising society’s awareness of this issue”, she said.

The association was created in 2018 when parents of children with autism in Itapoá got together and organized a lecture on the topic at City Hall. “To our surprise, the lecture was full”, recalls Elvira. The attention drawn to the issue led to more parents and guardians being found, and together they created the AMA.

In its early years, the association was exclusively dedicated to recreational and leisurely activities, such as bazaars and bingo. “Now we’re able to assist 25 families that fit the criteria established by the association”, explains the president. These criteria are: low-income families whose children are not receiving treatment.

Socio-environmental support

Porto Itapoá provides support through direct or fostered sponsoring, various projects for socio-environmental development. Approximately BRL 30 million have already been invested in various projects with the most varied goals.