Mães atípicas: reflexões sobre as dificuldades e desafios do transtorno do espectro autista (TEA) e acesso às políticas no município de São Paulo

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the challenges faced by atypical mothers in accessing rights and public policies, with emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study highlights women, mothers, and caregivers who strive to ensure the rights of their children with disabilities and/or differences, particularly in the areas of education, health, and social assistance. It aims to identify the challenges and difficulties experienced by atypical mothers throughout their life trajectories in the post-pandemic context. The research proposes a reflection from the perspective of - caring for the caregiver, questioning which public policies have effectively addressed comprising bibliographic research, documentary analysis, and empirical investigation conducted with five atypical mothers residing in the city of São Paulo. The study addresses anti-ableist struggles, articulated with the performance of different professional categories involved in assisting this population within local territories. The findings reveal the difficulties and challenges faced by atypical mothers in accessing public services linked to education, health, and social assistance policies. The relevance of this study is emphasized in light of the implementation of new services in 2025 aimed at improving responses to the demands of atypical mothers and autism care. Furthermore, the research highlights the maturation of care proposals focused on women, mothers, and caregivers, particularly regarding the - caring for the caregiver approach, a central axis of this work that contributes to the visibility of atypical mothers and the strengthening of public policies that address their specific needs