More and More Brazilian Families Move to the USA Seeking Quality of Life for Children with Autism
It is not difficult to find a relative or friend who has chosen to change cities or countries in search of a better quality of life. This has become an increasingly viable alternative for some Brazilian families aiming to provide better treatments and quality of life for children diagnosed with some degree of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism is a syndrome that affects various aspects of communication, influencing an individual’s behavior in different ways. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 36 children is being diagnosed with autism. Based on this data, it is estimated that there are approximately 4.8 million people on the autism spectrum in Brazil.
For experts in the field, early diagnosis and treatment are determining factors in therapeutic progress. According to Dr. Estevão Vadasz, a professor at the Institute of Psychiatry (IPQ) at USP, a specialist in child psychiatry, and founder of Protea (Autism Spectrum Disorder Program), speed and precise diagnosis in the first months of life are fundamental: “Early diagnosis and treatment, for children up to a year and a half old, is the great leap forward in developed countries.”
The Role of the American School System
In an exclusive interview, Karina Clark, a Brazilian resident of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and a specialist in educational psychology, shared that she works specifically with children and families in public schools in that state. She noted that, unlike many countries, the United States uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as the criterion for diagnosing the syndrome, providing essential statistical data on mental disorders.
According to Clark, the purpose of the school is not to diagnose, but to understand the qualities and needs of each child to provide support and development. The psychologist explains that in both public and private schools in the U.S., there is a multidisciplinary team involving professionals from different fields—such as speech therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists—focused on development that considers each student’s special needs. For example, for children with visual or hearing impairments, an additional professional is offered for specific support.
The Brazilian Motivation for Migration
Karina noted that she encounters various profiles of Brazilian families moving to the United States, including those where parents have little information about their children’s condition. However, this is not the general rule; many arrive fully aware of what they need regarding ASD. She mentioned it is common to hear reports about the difficulties of finding adequate follow-up in Brazilian schools (public or private) and the hurdles imposed by health insurance companies in Brazil.
“There are families who have moved to the U.S. intentionally in search of proper treatment. It’s not perfect here, but the fact that therapies happen within the school itself means one less worry for these families.”
One of the children treated by the psychologist is the youngest daughter of the Aguiar family. Although she has a degree considered “mild” on the spectrum, she required a proper diagnosis to begin the corresponding therapy and advance in her treatment.
The parents, who preferred not to disclose their daughter’s identity, are Brazilians who lived in Brazil during their daughter’s first years of life, despite having studied at American universities. Even with Italian citizenship and the resources to seek treatment in Europe, the family chose to move to the United States after extensive research and financial planning.
Financial Planning and Long-term Independence
In the interview, the Aguiars reported that several factors influenced this decision. Beyond seeking results-driven treatments, it was essential to think about a long-term life project. “Our focus was always on creating a foundation so our children could grow and have the structure to become productive and as independent as possible in adulthood.”
This concept of independence is specifically linked to subsistence for when the children become adults. For the Aguiar family, understanding the ASD universe while in Brazil was a challenge, but the chance to structure their daughter’s future with more possibilities in the U.S. led them to develop a specific financial plan.
With over 20 years of experience in the international financial market, the parents decided to specialize in this type of planning. They eventually created a financial advisory firm in the U.S. to meet the demands of “atypical families.”
“Our recent history has been written because of this special need, and it connected us with many other families seeking ways to prepare for their children’s future, especially considering if they will be adults with limitations,” said the father, Christiano Aguiar. He highlighted the importance of strategic structures that aim for solid bases of subsistence without depending on the state.
A 2020 study in the U.S. concluded that the average per capita lifetime cost for individuals with ASD is $3,566,881. This research revealed that the challenges of high costs have contributed to an increased interest in specific funds and investments to protect individuals with special needs, providing income for adulthood and protecting assets against creditors or the loss of government benefits.
The Reality of the Transition
For Ivy Guedes, a final-year clinical psychology student at UCF (University of Central Florida) and mother of twins—one of whom has Level 3 (severe) autism—moving countries must be considered with great caution. “We decided to move to the U.S. for good after doing a lot of math. The financial part is essential; it is the foundation of the project.”
Despite living outside Brazil for over 20 years (including stints in China and the Middle East), the family considered Europe since they are also Portuguese citizens. “As Brazilian citizens, we wouldn’t have the type of treatment we found in the U.S., and since we didn’t identify anything similar in Portugal, we decided to move to Florida,” Ivy said.
The urgency for intensive treatment led them to live near Els for Autism in Jupiter, Florida, a world-renowned center. While it receives some government subsidies, it is not a public institution. It consists of schools, support homes, and a vast medical infrastructure. Ivy now works as a freelance medical interpreter for the center, assisting Brazilian families who travel specifically to visit the institution.
“Services in Brazil have advanced, but we see many families with good financial means who are surprised by the level of follow-up offered by an institute that exclusively serves autistic children,” she noted. She warned, however, that some immigrants mistakenly believe everything is free in the U.S. “It doesn’t work like that. Planning and investment are fundamental.”
Community and Faith
This network of support has been increasingly requested by the Brazilian community. Consequently, churches and Christian institutions are seeking better ways to include children with ASD. According to Glauco Ferreira, a writer and pastor who authored Autism in the Church, the work of local communities goes beyond understanding the children—it’s about fully including these families.
“The Brazilian immigrant in the U.S. connects to the church not just for doctrinal reasons, but for a sense of community and a need for belonging,” Ferreira explained. Regarding financial planning, he added: “Unfortunately, in Brazil, we learn to be reactive. Planning is not natural in our culture, but that needs to change.”
Final Thoughts
The advancement of science, the resilience of families, and the support of schools, specialists, and churches are basic factors for human development. Today’s choices are determining factors for the future. Beyond immediate therapy, a holistic “life project” ensures that these individuals are not left unsupported in later stages of life.
