Life in poor urban communities can resemble a war zone – but self-help groups are helping neurodiverse kids copeIn January, as about 500 police officers carried out a 15-hour raid in one of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela complexes, Rafaela Figueiredo de França was trying to distract her six-year-old daughter, who has been diagnosed with autism.To prevent Maria from panicking amid the seemingly endless barrage of deafening gunfire – so intense that it even brought down the wall of a nearby house – De França shut the windows and turned on two fans. “It’s a way of shielding her from the sounds of war,” said the mother. Continue reading...
Violent police raids in Rio de Janeiro's favelas disproportionately impact autistic children, exacerbating sensory sensitivities and causing trauma. In 2023, there were more than three police raids per day. Residents have responded by creating safe spaces and providing sensory support, highlighting the hidden costs of Brazil's drug policies and the ongoing struggle to reduce police violence. Brazil's supreme court is considering measures to limit police operations in the favelas.
