Cássio vents after his autistic daughter is rejected from Belo Horizonte schools: 'It breaks my heart'

Goalkeeper Cássio , from Cruzeiro , used social media to report the difficulties he faced in enrolling his seven-year-old daughter Maria Luiza, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in schools in Belo Horizonte.

According to the player, the response from institutions is almost always negative, even at schools that market themselves as inclusive. "I've been trying to enroll my daughter in different schools, but the response is almost always the same: she's not accepted," Cássio said in an Instagram post.

The player also emphasized that professional guidance is essential for his daughter's learning. "The saddest thing is hearing this from schools that claim to accept all types of children. The reality, however, is quite different. If it weren't for just one school accepting my daughter, she simply wouldn't have been able to study in Belo Horizonte," he added.

Maria Luiza is accompanied by a specialized professional. He moved to Belo Horizonte when Cássio left Corinthians and joined Cruzeiro. The problem, according to the goalkeeper, is that many schools do not allow the presence of a companion in the classroom.

Cássio reinforced the need for practical implementation of inclusion policies. "As a father, seeing your daughter rejected simply because she's autistic is heartbreaking. Inclusion isn't just a pretty word in advertising; it's an attitude. And we're still a long way from truly living that out," he lamented.

Law No. 12,764/2012 guarantees the right of people with ASD to specialized support and establishes that they have priority in inclusion in regular education classes, ensuring necessary adaptations for learning.