Climate change has impacted everyone, but have you ever stopped to think about how it’s affecting children?

The environment has been going through challenging times, raising serious concerns. Yet little is said about how deeply children are affected by all this. As the years go by, they are increasingly having to deal with extreme events that directly impact their lives. According to a 2021 report by Save the Children, children born at the beginning of this decade will face 6.8 times more heatwaves than those born in 1960. The consequences of this are already visible—for example, earlier this year, the heat was so intense that it forced schools to close and made learning more difficult for students.

This is just one of many issues influenced by climate change. We can list several recent events that have affected thousands of children in vulnerable situations—such as the floods in Rio Grande do Sul in 2024.

Access to nature is also diminishing year by year. With the growth of urbanization and large cities, green spaces are becoming increasingly scarce. As noted by Maria Isabel, a specialist in childhood and nature at Instituto Alana: “homes have gotten smaller, access to public spaces has decreased, it has become less safe, and less common, and children have been losing opportunities to play outdoors.”

Areas of Life Most Affected
The document “Early Childhood at the Center of the Climate Crisis Response”, developed by the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância, highlights some of the areas most affected in children’s lives due to the climate crisis. The organization outlines seven key impacts that children may face:

• Agricultural losses and food insecurity

• Increase in infectious and transmissible diseases

• Loss of housing and forced displacement

• Exposure to contaminants

• Premature death

• Reduced access to quality education and healthcare

• Toxic stress and mental health challenges

In addition, the study also shows that Black and Indigenous children, as well as those living in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, are the most affected by the climate crisis and food insecurity. This further illustrates how structural inequalities disproportionately impact people in vulnerable situations whenever there is a global crisis.

Given the constant flow of environmental news, many children may also feel concerned about the future, leading to anxiety. As Maria Isabel explains: “Many children already report anxiety, worry, and a deep sense of anguish — both when they are experiencing extreme events and when they are exposed to the overwhelming news.”

Environmental Education

Environmental education is a right guaranteed by law to all citizens. Even though discussions about climate change have gained greater prominence in recent years, as seen in the news, the National Environmental Education Policy was established in 1999, aiming to promote an integrated understanding of the environment in its multiple and complex relationships—including ecological, psychological, legal, political, social, economic, scientific, cultural, and ethical aspects.

Environmental education also plays a key role in the process of preserving the environment, especially in the early years of school, when children are learning how to engage with the world around them. According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, moments of contact with nature—whether through activities or daily interactions—are essential for children’s development.

“These experiences in childhood are fundamental to nurturing the feeling that we are part of this greater chain of life. And we need to understand that the impacts we have on nature are directly related to our own survival,” explains the specialist from Instituto Alana.

That’s why it is crucial for organizations and public authorities to remain attentive and actively strengthen initiatives for environmental protection and education.

Climate Justice and the Role of Instituto C

For Instituto C, talking about the environment is also a way of pursuing social justice and greater equality for families. During our group sessions, this is a topic we seek to raise and discuss collectively, to listen and understand how climate change directly affects their lives.

Renata Chiapetta, a social worker and one of the institute’s technical staff, explains that children can also be agents of change—if we provide them and their families with the knowledge, tools, and support they need. She also emphasizes the importance of ensuring climate justice for people living in socially vulnerable conditions.

“Social justice and climate justice are interconnected. When a mother has to choose between buying water or food for her children, between ‘saving’ furniture or making sure all her kids are safely removed from a flooded area, or between risking sending her children to a school with a damaged roof or losing a government cash benefit—that’s not just her problem, it’s our problem.”

That’s why one of our key responsibilities is to advocate for the rights of families already suffering the consequences of climate change. As Renata points out, it’s increasingly clear that children are the most affected. “Droughts, floods, extreme heat, and food insecurity are not ‘future issues’—they are current realities for many of the families we support,” she notes.

Therefore, public policies that aim to prevent or respond to these impacts are urgently needed.

Public Authorities as Agents of Change

Through the National Environmental Education Policy, several public policies were established to ensure that all Brazilians have access to environmental education—so that, together, we can build social values, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies aimed at preserving the environment, which is essential for a healthy quality of life and sustainability.

Today, Bill 2225/2024 proposes the creation of a Legal Framework for Children and Nature, establishing policies and tools to ensure that all children and adolescents can connect with nature through exploration and experience. This is one of several initiatives supported by child advocacy organizations.

However, Brazil still has a long way to go. Maria Isabel notes that public policies need to go beyond prevention and also serve as a foundation for adapting to climate change. For her, schools have a vital role in both bridging the gap between children and nature and in spreading good practices related to climate adaptation.

“We need to adapt cities to these changes, because climate change is not going away anytime soon. The heat will keep intensifying, as will pollution and rainfall. We must focus on adaptation—and schools can be at the center of this effort,” she emphasizes.

April is marked by Autism Awareness, a movement that highlights the importance of discussing the rights of people with autism, the pursuit of autonomy, and a more inclusive society. Having a dedicated month for this awareness also serves as a way to give a voice to families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to help guide their journey after diagnosis.

ASD affects neurological development and can impact the organization of thoughts, feelings, and emotions, which directly influences the daily life of those with this neurodivergence. According to the Virtual Library of the Ministry of Health, the disorder can be classified into three types: classic autism, high-functioning autism (Asperger’s syndrome), and pervasive developmental disorder—not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), with each type presenting different characteristics regarding social interaction, speech, and neurological development.

In all three types, treatment is more accessible when diagnosed during childhood, enabling the pursuit of rights to begin. Katia Moretti, coordinator of Instituto C’s Central Branch, emphasizes the importance of dedicating a month to this topic:

“Awareness about autism is fundamental to give visibility to the cause and promote a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by these children and their families.”

Rights of People with Autism

Some rights of people with autism may still be unknown; therefore, we highlight those that help families gain more autonomy and provide children with a dignified childhood, marked by inclusion and respect. Basic rights such as access to school and transportation are important, but there are many others that encompass the daily life of autistic individuals, detailed in the Manual of Rights of People with Autism, developed by the School of Parliament to guide families. Here are some key points:

• Education: specialized assistant and individualized teaching
  Depending on the needs of each student and with medical proof, it is possible to have a specialized assistant in the classroom, according to Law 12.764/2012. Another legal provision is individualized education tailored to each person’s specificities, so the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is a right for all people with autism.

• Health: comprehensive care and medication
  People with autism have the right to comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis, treatment, and proper follow-up with priority, according to the Statute of People with Disabilities (Law 13.146/2015). The right to medication provided by the public health system (SUS) also applies to autistic individuals who need specific medicines.

• Mobility: free access and special parking spots
  For transportation, people with autism have rights that make daily mobility easier. In São Paulo, free access to buses, trains, and subways is guaranteed for all people with disabilities through the special Bilhete Único card, which can be requested on the SPTrans website. Additionally, special parking spaces can be used with the DeFis parking card, which confirms the person’s disability when in the vehicle.

• Leisure: half-price tickets and adapted cinema sessions
  Leisure time is essential for the development of children with autism, so half-price tickets apply regardless of income, in cultural and sports venues. In São Paulo, since 2020, Law No. 17.272 requires cinemas to offer adapted sessions with slightly dimmed lights, lower volume than usual, and no commercial advertising to avoid disturbances.

• Identification: CIPTEA
  Autism is not a disability that affects children’s appearance, so it is important they have identification to use when necessary. The Identification Card for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CIPTEA) is an official document used to facilitate identification of autistic individuals in public and private services throughout São Paulo. It can be issued both online and at Poupatempo service centers.

Despite having laws that guarantee their rights, people with autism still face many barriers in accessing them. A significant challenge is that many systems require internet access, and not everyone has the knowledge or means to make requests or upload documents.

Some public offices are also hard to access due to bureaucratic procedures and the high volume of diverse information. However, “atypical mothers” tend to be combative and increasingly aware of what they should demand from public authorities, counting on networks like Instituto C in this mission.

Instituto C’s Work in Guaranteeing Rights

At Instituto C, about 37% of the children served have autism, so the work focuses on supporting families in securing their rights, ensuring access to legally guaranteed services for all children served, and also empowering mothers. Through multidisciplinary work, Instituto C offers services with professionals who assist with families’ diverse needs, such as nutrition addressing healthy eating and food selectivity, income generation to support job opportunities, and psychosocial support for mental health care.

The institute guides families toward achieving essential rights so people with ASD can gain autonomy and a full life. However, this reality remains distant for many families, especially those lacking the tools to claim their rights.

Thus, the technical team acts as a gateway to knowledge. Through initial contact, social workers seek to understand each family’s needs and guide them accordingly. Franciele Fernandes, social worker at Instituto C, says most family demands are related to access to health and education, and she explains where services can be found or even directly contacts public agencies.

She highlights the importance of the Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC), which guarantees low-income families with children with disabilities financial support to cover basic needs like food. “A child who does not eat well cannot develop or focus,” Franciele stresses, emphasizing the importance of this aid.

Another frequent demand is school inclusion, especially in the early years, as Lualinda Toledo, pedagogue at Instituto C, explains:
“We need to carefully understand whether the child belongs to regular or specialized schooling,” she points out.

Atypical Mothers Who Inspire

Samanta is now a social work intern at Instituto C but initially came with her family seeking guidance and support networks. A single mother of two boys with autism, she says atypical motherhood completely changed her life, permeating all family challenges.

At the institute, she found a space to exchange experiences and strengthen other mothers. “I see it as an exchange. We learn from the knowledge of the professionals, but they also feed off the experiences of the mothers themselves,” Samanta says about the professionals’ work.

“The institute helps us open doors—doors that others have closed, kept shut, and sometimes locked with a key. They help strengthen the family’s connection to their community.”

Besides working with Instituto C, Samanta mobilizes a support group for families of autistic and atypical children in her neighborhood, Cidade Tiradentes. At Fact Corações Azuis, many mothers share demands and challenges in fighting for their children’s rights but find strength and support in the network.

She shares that pursuing her children’s rights also motivated her to gain knowledge to navigate various services, inspiring her desire to become a social worker. This learning is shared with other mothers during conversations, empowering them. “When you speak up and take a stand, you become a force. Because depending on what you say, you awaken those who don’t know or don’t have access and are going through a situation,” she says.

Help Instituto C

Like Samanta’s family, many others benefit from Instituto C’s work and come to understand their rights with support from our technical team. Through assistance, paths are paved to ensure better quality of life for all, especially supporting children’s development.

There are many ways to contribute to Instituto C’s work—through donations or volunteering in areas such as benefits assembly and distribution, toy library, family counseling, psychotherapy, and the Nota Fiscal Paulista program.

Food selectivity is a condition characterized by aversion to a large number of foods. It is a very common symptom in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as shown by a study conducted by the University of Marília in São Paulo. This is because it involves a sensory issue, which is highly present in the autism spectrum. People with autism may have a more rigid eating pattern—meaning they always eat the same foods—so a break in routine, with the introduction of new food groups, leads to discomfort and rejection.

For families with children with autism, food selectivity is a daily challenge, as these children often prefer only one specific type of food, which isn’t always the healthiest option. We spoke with nutritionist Prof. Dr. Rosana Farah, a specialist in eating disorders, who explained more about this issue. “For autistic individuals, ideally things should always remain the same, with the same shape and presentation. This is why ‘packaged’ foods may be preferred, as they always have the same smell, color, texture, and crunch,” she explains.

The nutritionist points out that the degree of food selectivity and aversion can be triggered by behavioral factors such as hypersensitivity, past experiences with choking, reflux, allergies, as well as nutritional issues like nutrient deficiencies and gastrointestinal disorders that worsen loss of appetite.

The biggest challenge, then, is learning how to best manage food selectivity in a way that does not make the child feel forced to change habits, but rather incorporates diverse eating gradually into their routine. In this context, a multidisciplinary approach involving a nutritionist, physician, speech therapist, and occupational therapist is essential to break down barriers and support both the child and their family.

Nutrition as a key pillar of treatment

The role of nutritionists in managing food selectivity is fundamental for nutritional re-education and the introduction of healthy foods into a child’s or adolescent’s diet. The more a child restricts their variety of food groups, the higher the risk of clinical consequences, including nutritional deficiencies, being overweight, and obesity. Without proper treatment, various nutritional harms may occur, such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, tooth loss, and intestinal issues.

The assessment process carried out by a nutritionist must be personalized according to the specifics of each case. According to the expert, an assessment is never a one-time task—it must be built through a relationship of trust with the child and their family or caregivers. In addition to analyzing weight and height, it is also essential at the beginning to understand the family dynamics and the child’s relationship with food.

Prof. Rosana emphasizes the importance of identifying the food patterns the child accepts and the shared characteristics among those foods, such as color, consistency, and texture. From there, new foods can be gradually introduced according to the child’s own pace.

One approach involves food chaining techniques, which use the foods the child already likes as a base to present new options with similar color, texture, or food group. An example would be replacing store-bought French fries with homemade fries.

The role of the family in dietary re-education

The family plays a fundamental role in helping build dietary diversity in the child’s life, since they are present daily during meals. They should aim to reframe these moments, bringing a sense of calm and comfort so that children feel safe and encouraged to try new flavors.

The expert stresses that “families themselves need care too, because stress and emotional exhaustion—as well as feelings of guilt and pressure—are very common. Families must be guided and supported in acquiring new habits to break vicious cycles.”

Instituto C’s work in nutritional education

That’s why the support offered by organizations like Instituto C is crucial in helping families take the first step toward addressing this issue. At Instituto C, our team works within the framework of social nutrition, with clinical interventions only in extreme cases. Our focus is on nutritional education, offering guidance so families can better manage food selectivity.

Food selectivity is the most common concern brought to the nutrition team by mothers of children with ASD, according to Raquel Kanup, a nutritionist at Instituto C.

Raquel explains that food selectivity should also be addressed through joint efforts that include public health policies. That’s where the institute acts as an intermediary. “If the family lives in São Paulo, and the child with food selectivity also has an ASD diagnosis, I guide them on how to request a referral from their public health unit (UBS) nutritionist to access specialized services for treating food selectivity in ASD cases (such as Instituto PENSI),” she says.

Furthermore, when food selectivity is present, some children cannot stay in school for the full day because they are unable to eat at school. In such cases—when they have no access to proper treatment and, consequently, no adapted school meals—the nutritionist schedules a consultation with the family to create a report requesting meal adjustments. This document is sent to the school or the municipality’s school meal department to request accommodations.

Managing food selectivity through a multidisciplinary approach increases the chances of children adapting to the introduction of new foods in a more peaceful and suitable way. This allows us to support even more families dealing with food selectivity, especially those raising children with autism.

To that end, we are seeking volunteer nutritionists to join our team and help us address this issue that is so prevalent in our daily work. This professional will work with us on a mission that can truly transform the reality of many children. Click here to learn more!

This article was developed with support from Raquel Kanup, nutritionist at Instituto C, and Rosana Farah, professor, Ph.D., and specialist in eating disorders.

Ultra-processed foods have become increasingly present on the tables of families living in socially vulnerable situations, according to the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance. When it comes to food, healthy eating is always a topic of discussion, especially because it benefits everyone’s health. However, access to this type of food can still be limited, mainly due to factors such as lack of time, the convenience of consuming ultra-processed products, and unequal access to information.

According to a study by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), 8 out of 10 Brazilians live in urban centers, and 16 million live in favelas and peripheral areas, where so-called “food swamps” are concentrated. Food swamps are areas where establishments that primarily sell ultra-processed foods—such as small local markets—are predominant, and people need to travel more than 15 minutes to find stores that offer healthy foods, thus making access more difficult.

In the Southeast region, most of the population lives in such areas. This is according to a study by the government in partnership with the University of São Paulo (USP), published on the Alimenta Cidades platform. The data show that about 15 million people live in food swamps in Brazil, with more than half of them located in the Southeast. This context of limited access to healthy foods can also lead to food insecurity, which occurs when a person does not have regular access to quality food to maintain good health.

What are ultra-processed foods?

Ultra-processed foods can be defined in different ways, but the main one is that they generally contain many ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as chemical additives and flavorings. They also go through several stages of processing and usually have a high calorie density and low nutritional value, with high levels of sugars, fats, and salt.

Foods like cookies, chips, instant noodles, sausages, and soft drinks are some examples of ultra-processed foods. They shouldn’t necessarily be treated as villains, but when consumed in excess, they can lead to chronic non-communicable diseases.

High consumption of ultra-processed foods during childhood

If the consumption of ultra-processed foods can impact adults’ lives, it is even more dangerous for children. Childhood is when many habits begin to form, including eating habits. Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity can be triggered by consuming foods rich in fats and sugars.

Raquel Kanup, a nutritionist at Instituto C (Central Branch), explains that these ingredients, in excess, harm health by contributing to the development of hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and increased body fat. “These foods, which are rich in both chemical additives and fats, salt, and sugar, gradually affect our overall metabolism,” she adds.

The earlier a child is introduced to these foods, the higher the risks. “A child who is exposed to these foods from an early age will not only struggle to incorporate vegetables, fruits, and legumes into their diet, but is also more likely to develop diseases, especially cardiovascular issues,” explains Natalia Tanan, a nutritionist at the North Zone Branch.

An interesting tool to help children and young people better understand nutrition is the Pratinho Firmeza, created by Énois Conteúdo. It’s a guide that uses simple and approachable language, along with illustrations and meaningful conversations. The character Ayo, who leads the narrative, explores a range of reflections about the right to healthy food in childhood and youth, helping promote a deeper conversation about the topic.

Public food policies

In addition to professional support, public policies are also crucial in preventing nutritional food insecurity. These government actions ensure access to healthy foods and can include measures such as advertising regulation, accessible food labeling, and the promotion of local agriculture.

There are already initiatives in place to strengthen healthy eating and ensure that the right foods are on Brazilians’ tables. One example is the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines, created by the Ministry of Health to guide the population on what foods to eat for a better quality of life.

In the city of São Paulo, there are also locations known as Armazém Solidário (Solidarity Storehouses), which are part of a program launched in 2024 and funded by the São Paulo Food Supply Fund (FAASP). The initiative aims to offer healthy food items at more affordable prices to families in vulnerable situations registered in the CadÚnico system. The Human Rights Department’s website provides addresses and more information about food supply and security.

Furthermore, school meals are also a key element in promoting children’s health from early childhood. The National School Feeding Program  regulates school meals, including efforts to reduce ultra-processed foods and increase fresh, natural options. Despite this legislation, the country still faces challenges in fully implementing healthy school meals. “A child who grows up eating fruits, vegetables, and legumes every day is much more likely to continue eating them throughout life. Unfortunately, we still see cities—even in the metropolitan area—offering ultra-processed foods in school meals,” says Raquel.

Instituto C and support for healthy eating

At Instituto C, the team works daily with families who are seeking to improve their eating habits. The topic is addressed both during group discussions, where the nutritionist and families read food labels together and analyze the ingredients in order to reflect on ultra-processed foods and encourage habit changes, and in individual consultations, which are tailored to each family’s reality and help build personalized paths for change.

“Despite everything, it’s important to understand that this is more of a battle to reduce the freedom of the food industry and to inform people. I can choose between eating homemade cake or store-bought cake because I have the information,” Raquel explains.

Natalia also notes that some families may be more resistant to changing habits, especially due to cost concerns, since ultra-processed foods tend to be cheaper than healthy ones. However, finding a balance is possible. “I always start off very neutral and calm, giving people autonomy. And when I see that the family is a bit more resistant, I start introducing some goals and objectives,” the nutritionist explains.