This paper analyzes a set of letters sent to the Jornal do Brasil by parents of autistic people during the 1980s. The text seeks to expand the knowledge of historical aspects of autism in the country through document research from printed media. It aims to highlight two key issues: that the correspondence published during that period expressed a variety of stances regarding the understanding of the autism phenomenon; and that the letters may be understood as expressions of advocacy by the concerned relatives who wanted to further stimulate actions focused on assistance for autistic people. The conclusion shows how mothers and fathers turned their parenting into political instruments.
Autism; Letters; Jornal do Brasil; 1980s; Advocacy