Maria do Mar Vieira: A Dancer Who Found Expression and Balance on Stage
How Dance, Surfing, and Music Transform Lives with Autism in Portugal
Maria do Mar Vieira is 30 years old, lives in Coimbra, and is a dancer who discovered in movement a space for self-expression and equilibrium. She was 16 when she received her autism diagnosis. "I spiraled into a dark place," she recalls. "I fell into a deep depression. I didn't know who I was."
At school, she already knew the weight of stigma. "There was a classmate of mine who was autistic. I saw how people treated him. And that made me afraid."
Today, she is a dancer and has found in this art a way to communicate. "There, I could express myself and say what I couldn't put into words," she shares. "Dance has always lifted me up. I say it saved me."
She speaks of her achievements with awareness and emotion. "Whenever something positive happens, whenever I reach a milestone, I hold on to it and celebrate it."
For those still searching for their path, she offers simple advice: "Do what you love and never stop looking."
Pediatric neurodevelopment specialist Micaela Guardiano underscores the importance of finding such a space. "When we discover a place where we feel safe and fulfilled, it brings us happiness and unlocks our full potential."
Beyond the stage, Maria do Mar created a social media page where she shares her experiences as an autistic person, giving voice to those often unheard and supporting others and their families.
Dinis Ferreira: A Young Musician Who Found Refuge in Sound
At the Porto Conservatory of Music, the accordion marks the journey of 14-year-old Dinis Ferreira. Quiet and observant, he speaks little but expresses himself deeply.
"His expression comes through music," explains his teacher, José Fangueiro.
His mother, Alzira Ferreira, sees music as a vital path. "I think it helps him focus, builds his self-worth, and keeps him motivated. Here, Dinis is just like everyone else."
In a daily life where school can be a source of frustration—"I don't understand what the teachers are saying"—music becomes his refuge. "He plays alone, dances alone, and feels free."
Vicente Proença: A Young Surfer Who Found Balance in the Waves
Farther north in Matosinhos, eight-year-old Vicente Proença finds his balance in the ocean. Passionate about cars, he can identify them from a distance by their side mirrors and roof racks, and dreams of one day "opening a surf school in the Azores."
Before entering the water, he hesitates. "I'll just catch one wave," he says. By the end, he's ridden many.
"The contact with water is a regulating stimulus," explains his mother, Rita Gigante. "This kind of sport helps Vicente stay balanced and feel much better."
The impact extends to his daily life. "He's much more focused, much calmer" after surfing.
For the family, the most important thing is normalization. "Here, Vicente isn't Vicente with autism. He's just Vicente."
Embracing Difference
For pediatrician Micaela Guardiano, these stories reflect a fundamental principle. "Every person is unique, so speaking about this as a single experience is always reductive."
She emphasizes: "It's crucial not to try to normalize difference but to understand how to nurture what each child brings to the world."
More than therapies, she highlights the role of diverse experiences. "They need a wide range of experiences—that's what truly fosters development."
From the stage to music to the sea, these stories intersect in a shared idea: finding a space where growth is possible.
In a month dedicated to autism awareness, the message is one of acceptance: rather than fitting into a mold, the challenge lies in allowing each person to find their place—and within it, autonomy, balance, and belonging.
