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Thanks to the "Voices of children" foundation, since the beginning of the large-scale invasion 219 children with autism, who have been affected by the war, were able to resume their intervention and rehabilitation sessions. As we reflect on the passing year, we want to share the details and successes of this project.
Large-scale war, with its myriad threats, air raid alarms, shelling, constant stress, forced evacuations, and the loss of homes, has had a profoundly detrimental effect on the psycho emotional and, at times, physical well-being of thousands of children with autism. Regression in development, the loss of acquired skills, and the experience of acute anxiety states are just a few of the challenges observed in these children. However, one of the most significant hurdles for them and their families is the disruption of their familiar intervention and rehabilitation routes — routes that parents often painstakingly built over the years.
Natalia Masiak, a children psychiatrist and the head of the Psychological Expertise Center at the foundation, explains, “A typical child with autism is strongly attached to routine elements, the usual daily schedule, and familiar products. These play a vital role in maintaining stability and mood. Unfortunately, during times of war, families are often forced to move, which often disrupts these routines. Even when relocating to live with grandparents, the child with autism requires considerable time and resources to adapt to the changes.”
Things become especially difficult if the child moves to rented housing or, even more complex — moves abroad, introducing numerous variables. Another stress factor, aside from the loss of routine, is a child's presence in an area where explosions can be heard. For instance, if a child with autism has to spend an extended period in a shelter. The accumulation of these numerous stressors can even lead to a meltdown — a severe state where the child with autism becomes emotionally unstable, experiences disrupted sleep, and unfortunately, exhibits instances of regression.
With the onset of the large-scale invasion, the foundation initiated a project for targeted financial assistance to children with autism or their families who have been directly affected by the war. The process is straightforward: families in need of financial support for intervention or rehabilitation activities reach out to the foundation's hotline or one of its centers. Alongside the request, they are required to provide a medical report confirming the diagnosis, a birth certificate, and other documents verifying the child's eligibility for assistance under the established criteria.
Following this, the foundation examines the provided documents, assesses the individual needs of each child, and directs them to certified rehabilitation and intervention centers within its network. Families also have the option to recommend a center where their child is currently enrolled. However, the suggested facility must be officially accredited, possess all required permits, employ evidence-based intervention methods, and have professionals with appropriate diplomas and certificates. Only after scrutinizing all the documentation does the foundation finalize the support, enabling the child to receive complimentary sessions.
Natalia Masiak, a child psychiatrist and the head of the Psychological Expertise Center at the foundation, highlights, "Even in challenging wartime conditions, we should try to implement this recovery program for the children, the activities they received in their familiar home environment, before the war, can still be organized even in a completely different location. This will provide a child with a sense of stability and facilitate regaining control over the situation.”
Another crucial aspect is that we cannot halt a child's development and wait until the war concludes to resume their growth. We must keep working. Our task as parents and specialists is to foster the child's development even in the challenging conditions.
In total, 219 children with autism have already received free intervention and rehabilitation sessions thanks to the Foundation:
- 125 children aged 3 to 6 years;
- 33 children under 3 years where early intervention helps to compensate for developmental deficits;
- 52 students aged 6 to 15;
- 9 teenagers aged 15 years and older.
During this time, each child had the opportunity to take one or two rehabilitation courses. One course lasts two months and includes about 60 sessions with qualified specialists (psychologists, speech therapists, behavioral therapists, defectologists, sensory integration specialists, ABA therapists, etc.) Centers where children with ASD affected by the war have resumed their intervention sessions are located throughout Ukraine. These are Kyiv, Lviv, Rivne, Lutsk, and Brovary — the list of the centers is growing along with the little patients.
However, the greatest achievement for the foundation and the team working on the project is the remarkable success of the children undergoing rehabilitation and the intervention sessions.
Yulia Pilat, coordinator of the ASD and disabilities program for children, says, "It gives me a lot of strength when I read or hear feedback from parents. They are happy that, thanks to the Foundation, their children had the opportunity to undergo the rehabilitation they wanted so much and were looking for. When parents see the results, it is the best thing that could have happened in their lives. And at such moments you realize that your work is not in vain.
A child whose condition is improving is better than any awards and achievements. The parents express their happiness by enthusiastically displaying the children's progress. Although I did not request it as a report, they shared, and one such video provides energy for the entire week ahead."
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