At Natea of Policlínica Carajás, Psychiatry welcomes families and strengthens bonds
Specialized service in Marabá, in the southeastern state, ensures diagnosis, guidance, and humanized support for children with autism
In Marabá, in southeastern Pará, the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care Center (NATEA) at Policlínica Carajás Miguel Chamon has become a safe haven for families seeking care, diagnosis, and specialized follow-up. Among the services provided by the Government of Pará, Psychiatry stands out by offering comprehensive attention, qualified listening, and precise guidance, ensuring children and their families hope and support for healthy development.
For many mothers, psychiatric care represents a turning point in their stories. This was the case for Renata Pereira de Souza, mother of Dominique Souza, 6 years old, residents of Abel Figueiredo, in the Carajás region. "When I arrived here, I was lost, not knowing how to help my son. Today, with the follow-up, I feel that I am not alone. They listen to me, guide me, and give me strength to believe that my son can achieve more and more accomplishments," she reported emotionally.
Edna Paixão, also from Abel Figueiredo, mother of Emanuel Paixão, 5 years old, defines the team's welcome as "a hug in the form of care." "I had already sought help in other places, but it was here that I felt heard. My son receives special attention and I, as a mother, find guidance and hope. Each consultation is a relief and a new dose of confidence for my heart," she stated.
The coordinator of NATEA, Beatriz Barros, emphasizes that the service was born with the mission of welcoming each child and their family in a unique way. "Our commitment is to ensure that no one feels alone on this journey. Psychiatry, along with other specialties, strengthens this purpose by showing that it is possible to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Here, every advancement is celebrated as a collective victory," she highlighted.
Role of Psychiatry
At NATEA, Psychiatry plays an essential role in the comprehensive care of children. More than just prescribing medication, the specialist monitors development, identifies early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and guides caregivers at each stage of treatment. This approach strengthens the bond between family and the multidisciplinary team, making the care process safer and more humanized.
For psychiatrist Rafael Silva Aguiar, who works at the institution, the work goes beyond the clinical dimension. "At NATEA, we seek to understand the child in their entirety, their emotions, behaviors, and interactions. Our role is not limited to diagnosis but involves welcoming families, guiding them, and building strategies that favor child development," explained the specialist.
He also emphasizes that the progress of the children is only possible thanks to joint action. "Each achievement is the result of the dedication of the multidisciplinary team, which works together to provide complete and humanized care. This union ensures that the service goes beyond the medical consultation and translates into quality of life for families," he added.
How to access the service - To access Natea's care, families must seek a Basic Health Unit (UBS) in the municipality where they reside. After the first evaluation, the case is forwarded to the Municipal Regulation Center and then to the State Regulation System (SER), which directs the patient according to the identified clinical profile.
Natea's operation in Marabá, managed by the Institute of Social and Environmental Health of the Amazon (ISSAA), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), is based on a multiprofessional and interdisciplinary model, which reinforces the subject-centered approach, considering their cognitive, behavioral, communicative, motor, and social needs.
Text by Ederson Oliveira
