Overview
- Primary care teams will apply the M‑Chat to all children aged 16 to 30 months, with results recorded in the Child’s Digital Health Booklet and the E‑SUS electronic record.
- The Ministry opened an updated Early Intervention Guide for public consultation to steer immediate, evidence‑based supports after a positive screen.
- R$72 million will be invested to expand services, and 23 new Specialized Rehabilitation Centers will be accredited to strengthen the care network.
- Officials report about 1% of Brazilians live with TEA and say 71% have additional disabilities, reinforcing the need for integrated SUS pathways.
- Experts stress autism’s clinical heterogeneity and question blanket high‑hour therapy prescriptions, noting frequent resort to the courts for access to care as online misinformation that delegitimizes diagnoses grows.