Councilor calls for action against therapist accused of mistreating autistic people in Manaus

Complaint

Councilor Thaysa Lippy asks Crefito-12 for clarifications

Manaus (AM) — Councilwoman Thaysa Lippy (PP) demanded, this Monday (26), measures and clarifications from the Regional Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy of the 12th Region (Crefito-12) of Amazonas, which, for more than two years, has been investigating complaints against the occupational therapist, Samia Patricia Riatto Watanabe, for the crime of mistreating autistic children, in Manaus.

“I reported it and asked for information from Crefito almost three years ago and did not receive any response regarding the relevant disciplinary process. I will ask for further clarification, because this professional cannot go unpunished”,

criticized Thaysa Lippy.

Therapist Samia Patrícia was charged with ill-treatment by the Civil Police after attacking an 8-year-old autistic child inside a private clinic in Manaus. The case was discussed by the councilor at the Manaus City Council (CMM) after receiving the children’s parents in her office.

At the time, Thaysa asked Crefito, through letter 240/2021, also signed by several councilors, for information about the therapist’s work. “To this day we don’t know what happened. What I know is that the therapist is working in a clinic in the city center,” she said during this Monday’s session.

Crefito is the council responsible for overseeing the professional practice carried out by Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. Crefito is responsible for issuing professional records; collect annual fees, fines and fees; in addition to judging infractions and applying penalties provided for by Brazilian legislation.

The first complaint was sent to the Amazonas Court, as well as others made by parents of autistic children who were also victims of the therapist.

In June 2023, the first case was suspended by the judge of the 6th Criminal Court, after a conditional hearing. In this process, an agreement was reached between both parties. With this decision, Samia returned to her activities as a therapist, however, for two years, her behavior will be “monitored” by the courts.

After this decision, several parents and guardians of autistic children in Manaus who reported the therapist sought out the councilor asking for help with further clarification.

*With information from consultancy

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