Tucuruí Polyclinic is a space of discoveries for families assisted by Natea
Psychologists and a multidisciplinary team help families cope with emotional challenges and promote child development
Lilian, 7 years old, firmly holds her mother's hand while exploring a colorful room full of games, illustrated cards, and stories to tell. For Suzana Galvão, Lilian's mother, each visit to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care Center (Natea) at the Lago de Tucuruí Polyclinic in the southeast of the state is a mix of expectation and relief. "It was very good because it helped me reduce my worries about my daughter's treatment," she says.
For little Lilian, naming what she feels is still a daily challenge. "Autistic children feel everything intensely, but they don't always manage to translate that into words or gestures. Our job is to build that bridge between feeling and communicating," explains Sabryna Mira, a psychologist at Natea.
With playful strategies, such as symbolic games, emotion scales, and social stories, the professionals help the child understand her emotions and gain more autonomy.
The process goes beyond direct therapy with the child. Suzana highlights that the family's routine has changed: "We started to have specific times and activities that help Lilian's development. She has been able to cope better with daily demands, and we have learned to cope better with her." Among small achievements — waiting longer, responding better to commands, and expressing feelings — Suzana summarizes the impact of Natea in one word: hope.
NATEA
Natea, managed by the Amazon Social and Environmental Health Institute (ISSAA), is a unit of the Government of the State of Pará, specialized in semi-intensive care for children and adolescents diagnosed or under investigation for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), aged 2 to 18 years. To join the center, it is necessary to present a medical report with CID F.84 or CID 6A02, be clinically stable, and have social or family support.
With about 800 monthly appointments, the unit brings together psychologists, pediatricians, neuropediatricians, and child psychiatrists, offering personalized care plans. Parental involvement is essential: they learn to name emotions, validate feelings, and replicate strategies at home, ensuring continuity and progress in the children's development. "When the child understands that she is angry or sad and can communicate that, she gains more autonomy. This is an essential step for emotional regulation," reinforces Sabryna.
Appointments
According to Léia Sandim, the executive director of the unit, "just this year, the population of southeastern Pará can count on at least 51,636 services at Natea. This significant number reflects one of the main objectives of the current state administration: the decentralization of health services from the capital. Thus, children and adolescents with autism in the region will be able to receive quality public specialized assistance, with more comfort and without needing to travel to Belém."
The Natea in Tucuruí has become a reference for the care of children and adolescents with ASD in the region, combining support, emotional education, and guidance for families, strengthening the bond between care and development.
Service: The Lago de Tucuruí Polyclinic is 100% public and free, located at Avenida Raimundo Veridiano Cardoso, No. 1008, Santa Mônica neighborhood, Tucuruí (PA). It operates from Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm. Appointments can be scheduled via WhatsApp Business at (91) 98521-5110 or by email at [email protected]. It is necessary to present an ID, CPF, National Health Card, and proof of residence; for children without an ID, just the birth certificate and the mother's official documents are required.
Text by Roberta Paraense
