Helping children on the autism spectrum evacuated from the war zone

24 February 2022 changed the life of every Ukrainian in one way or another. For little Olya Suvorova and her older brother Ihor, the outbreak of a full-scale war turned into grief: their father went to war, and they and their mother Victoria were forced to leave their home and flee the fighting in the west of the country. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of other Ukrainian families experienced the same events. But for the Suvorov family and their children, this experience was especially difficult, as both children have been diagnosed with autism. 

Olya is now 3 years old, and her brother is 14. For more than 10 months, they have had almost no contact with their father. According to the children's mother, both Olya and Ihor need special remedial classes, but due to the move and their difficult financial situation, Victoria's mother cannot provide them with these on her own. 

Fortunately, Victoria learned that a free centre for the adaptation and development of children with autism spectrum disorders, the LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB, was opened in Lviv. As soon as her mother heard about this opportunity, she immediately signed up for classes, because she understands how important it is not to waste time in this case. Childhood is the best time to correct behaviour and teach the child many things that will help them integrate into society in the future, despite the fact that they are far from home. 

The LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB is a centre established by the Charitable organisation “Future for Ukraine Foundation” to help IDP children with autism spectrum disorder, for whom the forced relocation caused enormous stress. It is very difficult for a child with ASD to adapt to new living conditions, even the appearance of new objects in the room or new clothes can frighten and nervous the child. Helping children to adapt to new living conditions during the war is one of the priority tasks of our society. This has become the main goal of the Foundation.

The Foundation understands that the existing infrastructure of institutions in Ukraine is not designed for such many new children, and due to the deteriorating financial situation, IDPs are simply unable to pay for the services of specialists. Instead, at the age of 2-7, children with ASD are most susceptible to harmonious socialisation, so it is very important not to waste this time. 

Currently, the LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB conducts about 500 free correctional sessions every month, helping children develop everyday skills and speech, relieve mental and physical stress, integrate into society and discover their talents. 

Our partner Planeta Kino cinema network actively supports the hub efforts for children’s development and thus launches a monthly showing of cartoons for people with ASD. 

To support the case:

1. Donate to children’s remedial classes at LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB via QR code. Find it on stickers with a lion depicted in the waiting rooms of Planeta Kino.
2. Contribute via dobro.ua. 

Also, within the framework of the joint project, Planeta Kino cinemas will host special charity screenings of cartoons once a month.

You can buy tickets for the screening at the Planeta Kino box office or online on the partner's website.

Visit Planeta Kino cinemas to support the activity of LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB!

Our center needs monthly funding because classes are held for children and their parents on a free basis. The Foundation covers part of the costs on its own, but this is not enough. Therefore, today we need your help in the amount of UAH 200,000, which will help us cover the actual cost of about 200 correctional classes.

Every donation is important and affects the future of Ukrainian children on the autism spectrum. They are vulnerable to stress and need our help and support. 

Let's build a strong nation together and make our children happy!