Brazilian Autism Specialist Urges Future Educators to Support Families, Not Just Children, in Virtual Lecture

Internationally recognized autism specialist Ângela Aparecida Rodrigues Gonçalves Matias delivered a virtual lecture on May 18 to pedagogy students from Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, emphasizing that educators must embrace not only autistic children but also the families who support them daily.

The event, held online, gathered around 25 registered participants, including undergraduate students in Pedagogy (distance learning), educators, and professionals in the fields of health and psychology, who interacted with the speaker throughout the one-hour session titled “Caring for the Caregiver: Strengthening Atypical Mothers and Institutions in the Context of Autism.”

Matias, director of the multidisciplinary clinic Ludo Recriare, opened the lecture by reminding students that the work of a pedagogue extends beyond the classroom.
“Pedagogy is a mission,” she said. “Every child you meet is an opportunity to change a reality, and that includes embracing the parents, who also need support.”

Her message echoed themes from her published work on autism and child development, in which she warns that children learn through real-world interaction, not passive digital stimulation.
As she writes, “The role of parents and professionals is to build an environment rich in real experiences, where technology is only a complement, never the center.” Cruzeiro do Sul Educacional

Atypical mothers share emotional testimonies

Two students who are also mothers of autistic children shared personal accounts during the Q&A portion. One described the daily emotional load of caregiving and thanked Matias for addressing topics often overlooked in academic settings.

“Hearing her speak felt like someone finally understood what we live every day,” the student said.
Another mother added, “This guidance helps me not only as a future educator, but as a mother trying to support my child with more confidence.”

Matias responded by reinforcing the importance of empathy in educational practice.
“Caregivers carry invisible burdens,” she said. “When you support a child, you support an entire family.”

A university with a long history in Brazilian education

Founded in 1972, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul is one of São Paulo’s most established private institutions, offering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and maintaining seven campuses across the city. Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul
It is part of Cruzeiro do Sul Educacional, one of Brazil’s largest educational groups, which serves over 554,000 students nationwide and has more than 87,000 faculty and staff.

The university is recognized for its strong academic performance, with 80% of its graduate programs rated as excellent by Brazil’s Ministry of Education.

A specialist with international recognition

Matias has led more than 4,300 clinical sessions since 2018 and expanded Ludo Recriare to two units. She is known for developing innovative clinical methods adopted by health operators and for reducing diagnostic delays for autism in Brazil.
Her work has earned her national and international awards, including recognition from the Latin American Quality Institute.

Students describe the lecture as transformative

Many participants said the session helped them understand the intersection between educational practice and family dynamics. One student commented that Matias’ approach “combined science with humanity in a way that made us rethink our role as future educators.”

The lecture was part of Cruzeiro do Sul’s ongoing efforts to strengthen training in inclusive education and expand dialogue between academic programs and professionals working directly with neurodivergent children.