Mexico City, July 6 – The Mexico City Congress continued its training program for staff of its 66 Legislative Modules of Attention, Orientation, Citizen Complaints, and Support for Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence. The initiative aims to ensure that the Congress provides inclusive, accessible, and discrimination-free services for individuals with autism and other neurodivergences.
“Sensitization on the Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergences with a Human Rights and Gender Perspective”
The course, titled “Sensitization on the Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergences with a Human Rights and Gender Perspective,” is organized by the Committee for Attention, Orientation, Citizen Complaints, and Interinstitutional Affairs of the local Legislative Power, chaired by Deputy Juana María Juárez López. Deputy Juárez López inaugurated the training on May 21, emphasizing the importance of legislative module staff understanding autism and neurodivergence to provide timely, efficient, and respectful attention to all citizens, especially within the framework of Mexico City’s Care System.
During this second training session, Jorge Sánchez Saldaña, Technical Secretary of the Committee, expressed confidence that the knowledge gained will enable staff to offer better assistance to those visiting the Legislative Modules, particularly vulnerable groups and individuals with autism or neurodivergences. “We hope that this knowledge can not only be transferred to their work teams in the Modules but also promoted in the offices of deputies or within their families. That they can be empathetic with people in this community and give them better service,” he underlined.
Training Led by LIMEDDH Psychologists
The course, held in the “Nelson Mandela” Hall of the capital’s Congress, was led by psychologists Jorge Alberto Mendoza and Citlali Abigail Retana Navarro from the Mexican League for the Defense of Human Rights (LIMEDDH). They explained that autistic individuals often experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain elements, leading them to feel intensely or not at all in various situations. This often results in misunderstandings due to their literal thinking, difficulties in socializing, and existing stereotypes surrounding autism.
The psychologists also highlighted that autism affects individuals regardless of age or gender, but it manifests differently. It can be more challenging to identify in women, as Mexican culture often expects them to be quiet and calm, leading to a misinterpretation of behaviors that may indicate neurodivergence.
Interactive Workshops and Key Takeaways
Participating public servants were organized into work teams to reflect and exchange views on identifying barriers faced by individuals with mild disabilities, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia. They agreed on the importance of treating this population with empathy, using simple and accessible language, building trust so they can voice their concerns, not assuming literacy, and taking the necessary time to provide respectful attention.
This ongoing training underscores the Mexico City Congress’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and ensuring that its services are accessible and respectful of the rights of all citizens, particularly those with neurodivergences.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-continua-capacitacion-personal-modulos-legislativos-congreso-cdmx-materia-autismo-7649-1.html
