With this online initiative, we want to show that we are many, we are diverse, and at the same time we are one community without borders. European participants can join through the English version, while Ukrainian participants can take part via the Ukrainian version of the post.

What do you need to do to become a link in the Chain? It’s simple and quick:

1️⃣ Share this post on your page
2️⃣ Choose one strong trait of your child and describe it in one sentence. For example: “My child has an incredible memory – they helped us plan the evacuation.”
3️⃣ Add the country where you currently live: “I am from Ukraine!”, “I am from Poland!”, or “I am from Belgium!”
4️⃣ Add the phrase: “I add my link!”
5️⃣ To make sure your link is seen, use the hashtags #ChainOfStrength2026 #AutismDay2026 (all hashtags can be copied from the pinned comment under the post)

Your final post should look like this:
“My child has an incredible memory – they helped us plan the evacuation. I am from Ukraine! I add my link!” #ChainOfStrength2026  #AutismDay2026

Photos, videos, and sharing are welcome, but optional.

We will collect the Chain of Strength posts until April 24th, for 18 days, marking the number of years the world has been observing World Autism Awareness Day. After that, we will show the length of the chain that we created together!

Let this Chain also become our shared contribution to the Autism Europe campaign in April 2026. Share, join, and take care of yourselves!

#ChainOfStrength2026  #AutismDay2026

You, the parents who hide your special children in bomb shelters, who continue therapy during air raid sirens, who look for calm in chaos. You are the real heroes. Your children, with their unique way of seeing the world, teach all of us that life goes on despite explosions and cancelled classes, despite cold and darkness, despite the fear the enemy wants to force on us, we will prevail. Many Ukrainian families with special children were forced by the war to stay in other countries, and many are still there. But they do not give up. Many of them open services for autistic people abroad, organize support courses, and unite with each other. These times make all of us stronger, wherever we are.

And when our children laugh, begin to speak, or play games with new friends, we smile back at them every time, no matter how hard it is for us. Because this is our responsibility and our daily victory.

You are not alone. We also continue our work. We inform and support people with autism of different ages. We continue to develop children in our kindergarten. We help families with autism in different parts of Ukraine. We cannot do everything. But like you, and as the mother of a boy with autism, I know that a child’s growth cannot wait for peace. It simply cannot wait. Your stories inspire us. Your strength during the war is the firm foundation on which our children will build their lives and a happy future for their own kids.

Dear colleagues of “Autism Europe”, partners, and friends of Ukraine! Your support and solidarity are a ray of hope and a sign of spring that always defeats the harsh winter. You send resources and support our initiatives, reminding the world about our children and about Ukraine. We sincerely thank you for this, because behind every news headline there are real families, dreams, and tears. And when I see tears of joy in the eyes of little Ukrainians thanks to your support and help, it seems to me that this is also inclusion. A true kindness and empathy, one that we have not seen from russians in over a decade…

Today, on this terrible date, we remember all those we have lost, and we support our defenders and our homeland with all our strength. And we promise that we will not surrender. Ukraine will win, because we are proud and free people, one family. And may every child feel the warmth of the peace that we are fighting for and that we will win together.

With deep gratitude and hope,

Inna Serhiienko,

Founder of the International NGO “Child with Future,”

Consul of “Autism Europe”

Inna, let’s start with the main topic. What changes in the protection of the rights of children with special needs happened in 2025, and how did they affect the field of autism in Ukraine?

If we start with the main thing, then in 2025, the state paid much more attention to children with special needs than in previous years.

For preschool children, the role of the child’s assistant was finally regulated and clearly defined. Before, this role often looked more like a “volunteer parent.” We also finally saw changes in the approach to support teams for autistic people. The state recognized that one specialist, even a very good one, can never replace a whole team. For many years, together with friends and partners, we raised this issue in different offices. And finally, the time came to solve it.

In 2025, the Ministry of Education introduced new Guidelines for organizing education for people with special educational needs in secondary schools. They put a strong focus on safety and on preventing secondary trauma. For autistic children who often live with emotional and sensory overload and fear, this is extremely important.

Social services have also started to reform the system of financial support. In summer, some of the benefits were transferred to the Pension Fund. At first, the system was not fully ready for a new group of users. But, as the head of one local Pension Fund office explained to me, the process is now moving forward.

The Parliament has also passed a bill on increasing social support for families with children. There is hope that it will start working this year.

And of course, I cannot forget about the start of implementing ICD-11 by the Ministry of Health in 2025. This international classification will officially begin in Ukraine in 2027 and will bring a truly revolutionary change to how autism is classified. We expect it to make life much easier for many Ukrainian families. It should also finally bring order to how people with autism are identified, because the statistics that have been used by officials for many years are, to be honest, divorced from reality.

Of course, all these decisions must not remain as nice words on a screen. They must work in real life. This requires funding, training of specialists, decent salaries, services, and infrastructure. No order on paper can calm a child or give a mother peaceful sleep. We must understand that such changes take time in any country. In a country at war, bringing those laws to reality is a Herculean task.

I could talk about this for a long time. But to sum up: despite everything, Ukraine did a lot for families with special needs in the past year. These changes are not yet visible to everyone. But the most important thing is to keep going and appreciate these achievements. 

As a representative of Autism Europe, you have been deeply involved in the European context for many years. What are the main trends in the EU today, and how will they influence the lives of Ukrainians?

In Europe, a quiet but deep revolution is taking place. The focus is shifting from the idea of “fixing autism” to the idea of “building quality of life.” It sounds simple, but in reality, it is a completely different philosophy.

European countries are talking more and more about autism across the whole lifespan. They honestly ask themselves: “How does a person with autism live with dignity at 7, at 17, at 40, or at 65?” It is about a lifelong journey, not just the short path of “kindergarten–school–and then somehow it will work out,” which is still very common in Ukraine.

Another very important trend is giving a real voice to autistic people themselves. Not as symbolic guests at conferences, but as equal participants in decision-making, following the principle “Nothing about us without us.” This was clearly shown at the 14th Autism Europe Congress in Ireland in September, where many important decisions were made.

One more European trend that I would really like Ukraine to join as soon as possible is the alignment of policies and standards across all EU countries. People move a lot across borders, and the support system should move with them, not disappear every time they cross into another country.

There is also a very practical trend: accessibility. Ukraine is working on this too, and I especially want to mention the role of the First Lady, Olena Zelenska. Her contribution is very visible. Accessibility is not only about ramps or larger fonts. It is about making sure a person does not fall out of life because of physical or communication barriers.

Europe has been working on this consistently for many years. And I am glad that Ukraine is increasing its pace and moving towards the big European family.

And let us remember: we are doing this while living with blackouts, lack of heating, active fighting, and constant attacks on the civilian infrastructure. This comes at a very high price. Because of russian aggression, the number of Ukrainians who have acquired disabilities is growing, and this is our reality for decades ahead. That is why these European trends are not a fashion. They are practical guidelines for how to organize life in Ukraine today and tomorrow.

That is why I never get tired of saying: if European standards build tolerance and acceptance, then we desperately need them. These are areas where nothing happens fast. But without a culture of acceptance that is built into our bones, everything else risks remaining just beautiful decorations.

A question about international activity. What event of 2025 was the most emotional for you in your organisation?

Yes, there were several. But I will tell you about one.

In September, during the Autism Europe Congress, our European partners, considering the threats from russia to Eastern EU countries, asked us: could we share our Ukrainian experience of how families with autistic children and the organizations that support them survive in wartime?

We said yes. And in a very short time, understanding how urgent it was, we prepared a special guide. It was a very honest and condensed set of recommendations based on the real experience of Ukrainian families and organizations.

In December, we presented it in Brussels to members of Autism Europe. And it felt like I was back again in February–March 2022. Our advice is not theory. It is lived experience, real mistakes, and real survival rules during russian aggression. We gave this document to our European colleagues with one wish: that they would never need to use it. Now it is being studied in different countries.

What were the biggest challenges for “Child with Future” in 2025, and were you able to overcome them?

Probably the biggest challenge was to keep stability in an unpredictable world. This sounds simple, and everyone could say the same. But it is true.

Our challenges were the same as those faced by thousands of families: constant psychological pressure, financial instability, danger to life, lack of specialists, lack of electricity, and the impossibility of making plans. We are all in the same boat.

Did we manage to overcome them? Partly, yes. Completely, of course not. We cannot stop the war or change the economy. But we can stay close to families and continue what we have been doing for more than 15 years: consult parents, inform society, make the stories of autistic people visible, and protect their rights.

And one more important thing: in such times, we must take care of people and give ourselves time to rest. When people burn out, everyone loses.

Which areas of your organization’s work in 2025 would you highlight?

Public opinion research, analytics, education, and international cooperation. All of this is public and open.

But there is one special direction that is very close to my heart. These are the projects where neurodivergent people speak for themselves. When a person speaks, abstract words disappear, and we see real individuals with their talents and dreams.

For me, a symbol of this is Maksym Brovchenko from temporarily occupied Berdiansk. I remember him as a little boy. Today he is a young man: a writer, actor, blogger, and volunteer. He speaks simply and honestly about autism, about pain, and about hope. People like him change the world more than any official documents.

I want to encourage your readers not to be silent. Do not be afraid to share your stories. Only then can you be heard and seen.

How does the war and the socio-economic situation affect Ukrainian families with autistic children?

The war affects everything. The hardest part is total instability. Today you have resources, tomorrow you do not. Today there is a specialist, tomorrow they have left or burned out. Today the school works, tomorrow it does not. And people must live, because there is no second life and no second Ukraine.

There is also exhaustion. People have been living in survival mode for years now. At some point, the body and mind simply say: enough. Our recent survey clearly shows this. The resources are running out, and the war gives us no time to recover them.

Many families with special needs children do not ask for anything extraordinary. They ask for basic things: a normal school, respect, and accessibility. They ask not for privileges, but for dignity.

And finally, what was your biggest inspiration and lesson of 2025, as a mother and as the founder of an organization?

People who do the impossible every day. Parents, defenders, doctors, teachers, energy workers. Thanks to their courage, we can live and help others.

And the main lesson is this: I want to admire not only human endurance, but a system where people do not have to survive every day. A system where support is normal, and where people with special needs are a natural part of a civilized, educated, tolerant, and strong society.

I believe this is what our strength and resilience are really about.

For the fourth winter in a row, Ukraine is living in conditions of a brutal war. Now, Russia is attacking Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure with special cynicism. The Security Service of Ukraine has stated that there is evidence that “Russian strikes on energy facilities are a consistent policy of the Kremlin aimed at destroying the Ukrainian people and have signs of crimes against humanity.” This does not surprise us. We all see it with our own eyes. We all feel it.

Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have already left thousands of families and dozens of educational and medical institutions without electricity and heat for many hours and even days. As a Ukrainian organization that supports autistic children, we want to draw your attention to the special vulnerability of children with ASD and their families in this dark and cold time.

You know well that for a child with autism, sudden darkness and cold, changes in routine, and loud generator noise are strong triggers. They can cause serious deterioration of condition, panic attacks, and, eventually, regression of acquired skills and new crises.

In these extreme conditions for all of Ukraine, we ask you for urgent charitable assistance to support Ukrainian families with autistic children with: 

• portable and stationary power generators; 
• inverters and battery systems for a stable power supply; 
• fuel materials (diesel, gasoline) for the winter period; 
• heaters, heat guns, and infrared panels that are safe for use indoors with children; 
• solar panels and charging stations for backup power in inclusive institutions and family centers, and other equipment.

This assistance is primarily needed for: 

• projects of our NGO: the kindergarten “Child with Future,” development and socialization studios, and rehabilitation groups; 
• inclusive and specialized institutions and classes in general schools in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine; 
• dozens of Ukrainian families raising autistic children in homes without central heating and electricity; 
• partner with early intervention and day care centers in different regions of Ukraine.

Today, every hour of stable heat and light will allow children to continue their classes, therapy, and education. Most importantly, it will give them a sense of safety and family warmth.

We are ready to provide full reports, photo and video documentation of the use of aid, and a priority list of recipients, according to your requirements.

Please become a saving light for us in the winter darkness of Russian aggression.

Thank you for standing with Ukraine. Together we will overcome the darkest times!

With deep respect and hope for your support,

Inna Sergiyenko,

Founder of the International NGO “Child with a Future,”

Autism Europe Consul.

On the eve of the new year, 2026, we decided to have an open and honest conversation with its director, Natalia Struchek. We talked about the kindergarten’s results in 2025, the key issues, and the challenges that concern its staff, pupils, and their parents. The conversation turned out to be long, and it was not so much about methods or approaches as it was about people — teachers who fight for every new skill a child gains; parents who are learning to accept and to help; and our children, who are growing and learning in the conditions of brutal Russian aggression.

Ms. Natalia, another difficult year for Ukraine — 2025 — is coming to an end. What were the main challenges it brought to your kindergarten, and how did you cope with them?

War. War is our main challenge, and it affects all Ukrainians literally. And unfortunately, even though it has been going on for more than one year, it still constantly makes adjustments to our lives. Right now, for example, Kyiv is once again experiencing long blackouts… Yes, like all Kyiv residents, we seem to have adapted (we have autonomous electricity, water, and heating), but it is still quite inconvenient, costly, and uncomfortable. People also get exhausted when they spend nights in shelters and don’t have the ability to make even a simple breakfast because there’s no electricity, or to take a hot shower… The fatigue is definitely there, although it would be strange if, in the fourth year of the war, it were any different. Of course, within our team we try to joke, to come up with something to cheer each other up. But I can see how this fatigue keeps building up. And at the same time, I never stop admiring the courage and resilience of all Ukrainians! I honestly don’t know where we all get our strength from — but somehow, we do.

If we talk about more specific issues, this year it has become noticeably more difficult to find staff. Everyone is looking for work that is as independent as possible from circumstances they cannot influence. People don’t want to spend time commuting; they want to work as close to their homes as possible. Living costs in Kyiv have also risen significantly, and people naturally expect higher salaries. I can’t say this is something entirely new, but unfortunately, we more often have to invent new ways to adapt to the realities of our time. Then again, this concerns not only us.

Yes, it’s hard to disagree with that. And how did the work of your teaching and therapy teams change in 2025? New methods, programs… Maybe you had to give something up?

Well, as you know, nothing stands still. And that’s actually encouraging, because it gives a sense of movement and life even in such a difficult time. Despite all the chaos and harsh realities around us, learning in Ukraine is still going on, conferences are still being held, and new initiatives keep appearing that support and develop us. Yes, a lot of this has moved online, but the level of what is being offered is very high.

Since many Ukrainians have been forced to live abroad, the amount of information about international programs and methods that we now work with has increased many times over. Five years ago, I couldn’t even imagine that the exchange of useful information between Ukraine and the EU, and other countries, would be so broad and deep! A lot of very interesting things are coming to us now from the United States, from Finland, and this truly expands our horizons. Unfortunately, most European countries don’t have much to offer specifically for our very narrow field, but there are still valuable practices, and that is extremely important.

As for our developments, we have completely turned our testing system upside down. Everything is now done online. Each child has their own online account with individually designed tests. All specialists working with the child enter their data there, and now we can observe a very precise, almost “live” dynamic of development. There are percentages, charts, and visual materials — everything is as simple and clear as possible for parents, who can log in and check it at any time. And this gives us a huge opportunity to talk honestly, in detail, and in a very human way with parents about difficulties and to adjust the direction of further work together. Before, we did all of this on paper, manually. Now it’s a completely different level: modern, convenient, and alive.

As for methods, neurocorrection is currently at the peak of its relevance. And this is amazing, because before it seemed that it was suitable only for preschool-age children or only for neurotypical kids. Now we see how well it works with different children, with different needs. The key thing is to choose the right exercises. There are situations where a child simply cannot perform certain tasks (and that’s normal), and then we look for alternatives. There are exercises for developing both brain hemispheres, for using both hands, for attention — there is an almost endless resource there. Previously, we used these exercises separately, in a very targeted way, but now they work as a system. And it is exactly this integrated approach that gives a tangible push, helps the child move to new levels of development, as if opening up another step upward for them.

Can we say that, amid all these changes, parents’ expectations of the kindergarten have also changed? And what would you like to especially emphasize in this context?

Let’s start with the first part. The main request from parents remains the same as before: they want their child to start speaking. This is what they most often come to us with, even when the child is still very young. But, as always, we emphasize that the first thing to work on is socialization. Because without it, further development and a child’s life in society are simply impossible. This is the foundation — without it, nothing works.

And it is very important that both parents and even private specialists who work with a child individually clearly understand these priorities. Focusing only on academic skills is not enough. Social skills must come first. A child should not just know something, but be able to transfer that knowledge into everyday life. Because more and more often we see children who come to us after developmental centers or private teachers who seem to have learned a lot, but don’t understand how to use these skills in real life. And this is very obvious: the skills were not practiced in everyday situations. As a result, the child was seemingly busy all this time, but everything remains at the level of “theory at the table.”

It is important for any educator to understand this and to explain it to parents. I know that when parents turn to a private teacher or institution, that specialist usually follows the parents’ request. Parents really want to believe that one or two professionals can solve all the issues. But no, that’s not how it works. An educator must honestly explain: if a child does not practice their skills at home, in daily life, and does not understand how to use what they learned in the therapy room, then unfortunately all those abilities will disappear very quickly. It’s like learning a foreign language: you can study grammar and vocabulary perfectly, but if there is no practice, you will never start speaking.

I always give parents a simple example: sorting objects at a table with a specialist is good, but transferring that skill to sorting socks at home — that’s where the real task is. And for this, a child needs help from an adult, because they won’t build that connection on their own. And without the skill of transfer, the quality of the child’s future life will be extremely low, because all these “learned” abilities will simply hang in the air and never become part of their real life.

One more question about parents. In your opinion, which formats of work within families are the most effective, and which ones should parents avoid so as not to harm the child?

I will never get tired of repeating this: one of the biggest gaps in families is parents’ very low level of awareness about their child’s difficulties. And this is not their fault — it is the result of a diagnostic system that does not work well. One key mistake pulls an entire chain of others behind it. Parents are given a diagnosis — often superficial or vague — and are simply sent to centers, regular kindergartens, or teachers. But no one explains the seriousness of the situation to them. No one speaks honestly and directly about the fact that we are dealing with mental impairments that cannot always be influenced by simple methods — the way parents know from their own experience and the way they want it to be.

For some reason, nowadays almost everyone is being labeled with “ASD.” Because of this, we have a huge amount of confusion. A child with alalia needs one type of intervention; a child with autism needs a completely different one. A child with neurological impairments and a child with ASD are different stories, yet in documents they all end up with the same “ASD.” On top of that, parents are either terribly afraid of this diagnosis or, on the contrary, afraid of any other one. This is especially true when it comes to intellectual disability — the very term causes panic. And then it becomes easier for parents to accept “ASD” than intellectual impairments. But this false “comfort” of a diagnosis is very harmful, because it leads to insufficient correction in working with the child. For example, a child with genetic or syndromic conditions, or with serious neurological issues, needs extremely intensive physical rehabilitation: more massage, more specialized activities, more work with the body, more movement. In kindergarten, we can do this part, but it remains supportive. And for some children, this is critically not enough. Because if physical issues are not properly addressed, mental development simply will not move forward.

And here, in my opinion, the big problem is that doctors do not explain this to parents. But when a doctor says one thing and an educator says something else, parents choose the doctor. We recommend swimming, we recommend activities, we recommend working with the body and movement — but not everyone is ready to accept this. Instead, everyone is chasing speech and goes only to a speech therapist, because they are promised quick results.

Another difficulty is that parents very often relax once they come to us. Sometimes they don’t even attend consultations. They don’t realize that everything that happens with the child goes through them. There are situations where a child behaves wonderfully in kindergarten but completely differently at home — and parents stay silent about it. This is wrong, because it is at home that effort is most needed: talking to the child, paying attention, stimulating them, helping them become interested, forming communication. And not everyone is ready to invest that deeply.

And it is important to be honest here: this is not just “war fatigue.” Unfortunately, very often it is simply an excuse. Because I see the other side as well — families who left at the beginning of the invasion and then returned have become much more involved. They saw how everything works in Europe, and it scared them. Because there, disability is registered immediately, everything is placed on the parents, and no one “fights” for correction. You either work on it yourself, or almost nothing happens. Even now, families come to us whose children were born abroad and have different citizenship, but do not have access to strong correctional institutions like ours. Because there, a child in kindergarten may wear diapers, may be fed with a spoon at seven or eight years old, and this is considered normal. That is, correction turns into simple care — a place to stay. Nothing is demanded from the children; they are serviced, not taught. And that is exactly why such parents, when they return home, most often turn out to be very involved. Because they have already seen what it can look like, and therefore they are much more ready to work with their child, to learn, and to actually follow recommendations.

We know that the kindergarten anniversary was recently celebrated: 15 years of work is a serious milestone. And if I’m not mistaken, the center still remains unique in Ukraine for children with ASD. So please remind our readers what exactly makes “Child with Future” unique and, so to speak, what parents are actually paying for?

For extremely hard work. Truly, sometimes it’s difficult to find any other words, because that is exactly what parents pay for — for enormous daily work that is invisible from the outside but completely transforms a child.

Our children spend ten hours a day at the kindergarten, five days a week, and the work begins from the very first minute. We immediately involve the child in everyday routines: taking off outerwear, going to the bathroom, getting ready for the day. And this is not just “routine,” but constant supervision so that the child learns to do everything independently. Because this is where real intervention actually begins.

When teachers who have worked in other institutions or even in regular kindergartens come to us, they all say the same thing: it is very hard for them to put in so much effort to teach a child independence. Because this is the hardest part. It is much easier to do everything for the child—to put on a diaper, to feed them with a spoon with food you know they will eat, and not strain yourself. But this is not how we work. We literally “fight” for every step, for every new skill, and we teach the child to do everything on their own. Even our youngest children — one and a half years old — carry their own plates, move their chairs, put on their hats by themselves, and try to fasten their jackets. Yes, at first we help — showing, prompting, supporting. But then we gradually remove all prompts, and the child starts to manage independently. And it is this everyday independence that parents notice first. Because after just one or two months, they see how suddenly the child is already doing so many things on their own.

And what’s important is that when a child becomes more independent, they also become calmer. This is not about becoming “detached.” On the contrary — they begin to understand what is expected of them and feel that they are capable of doing it. They experience success, and contact appears between them and the adult who is teaching them. Gradually, motivation to receive new information emerges. Because when parents first bring their children to us, motivation is zero, imitation is zero. It’s as if the children don’t see the point in repeating things, don’t understand why they should make an effort. But when the process of independence is built, when the child experiences their first “I did it,” everything else starts to interest them. A desire appears to try new things, to listen, to explore.

And that is exactly what parents are paying for — for systematic, complex, exhausting, but incredibly effective work that gives their children something that changes their entire lives: the ability to be independent, calm, motivated, and open to development.

There was also a question about the kindergarten’s anniversary…

Yes, I got a bit carried away — sorry, it’s a sensitive topic. So, speaking about the anniversary, we really have been working day in and day out for a full 15 years now, if we don’t count the forced three-month break after February 24, 2022. Over all this time, about a thousand children have graduated from our kindergarten, and the oldest of them are now 20–22 years old — fully grown adults already. Time truly flies.

And you know what? We very rarely have open spots. For us, this is one of the greatest achievements. Because when people know that by coming to us their child will truly be taught, not just cared for in a place of attendance, this is the most valuable confirmation that we are doing everything right. Our team, whom I deeply love and appreciate, puts in tremendous effort, works honestly, and is always focused on results. We are interested in long-term work with a child. Because ASD is a lifelong story, and our role is to be the support that helps a child go through all stages of development smoothly and consistently, without sudden jumps or setbacks. And when parents see real changes, when they know their child is moving forward, that is the greatest reward for the team.

Our credo is simple yet very deep: to make children independent and to use the full potential that each child has inside. Because we never know what level a child is capable of reaching. There is only one thing we can do — put in the maximum effort for every single child, without exception. And that is why I consider it a great achievement that our team has managed to create a system that works in a truly comprehensive way. We combine different approaches, different specialists, different methods — and together this gives the result that parents can see. This is more than just the work of a kindergarten. It is proof that with the right approach, faith, and persistence, it is possible to change the lives of children and families. And I am proud that we were able to build such a system and sustain it for so many years in a row. And all of this has been made possible thanks to the persistent daily work of the outstanding specialists of our kindergarten, whom I am incredibly proud of. Thank you!

I join you in that. All right, Ms. Natalia, to conclude, I would like to hear your expert opinion on the current needs in the system of early development and support for children with special needs in Ukraine. Where is the line between the responsibility of parents and that of the state?

In any case, parents’ responsibility will always be greater. No matter how much we might want to shift part of the burden onto the system, it is still the parents who stand next to the child every day, and so much depends on their understanding, involvement, and consistency. At the same time, I very much wish that what the state is implementing would finally become something that truly works, rather than just a nice idea on paper.

Unfortunately, we can all see this clearly in the example of inclusion. There is a lot of talk about it; it is presented to society as a wonderful, modern approach. But as soon as you dive into the real situation in educational institutions, a huge number of questions arise. Because between how it is supposed to work and how it actually works in reality, there is an enormous gap. And the most painful part is that very often these innovations are created by people who have no connection to practice at all. They have never worked with children in a group, never done correctional work, never seen real needs and real challenges. And that is exactly why this dissonance appears — ideas don’t work, don’t take root, and don’t stand up to the test of reality.

Let’s imagine a classroom where there is a child with visual impairment, a child with ASD, and a child with cerebral palsy. These children physically cannot learn under the same program, because each of them needs a separate approach and its own methodology. This is not a whim — it is a necessity. But for now, the system pretends that all of this can somehow be “averaged out.” We also already need to talk about tutors as a norm, as an integral part of the educational process. But they simply don’t exist — because there are not even graduates with the appropriate specialization yet. This creates a paradox: the requirement exists, but the people who can fulfill it do not. And this should not be the case. So the line of responsibility looks like this: parents must be involved, conscious, and active in their child’s development, but the state must create real, functioning mechanisms — not an imitation. Because without this, the system of early development and support for children with special needs simply cannot move forward.

And at the end of our conversation, on behalf of myself personally and our entire team, I would like to congratulate everyone on the new year 2026. I wish for the fastest Victory, health and success for our children, inspiration and patience for their parents, bright days and quiet nights. May this year bring peace, well-being, happiness, and many, many small victories for your children to every Ukrainian family!

Back in 2014, Ukrainians said about Russians: “They are not crazy.” The same words were repeated in 2022. But none of these beliefs worked. Russians are not insane – today’s Russia is a sneaky, cynical, and cruel aggressor.

That is why we strongly advise no one – especially our trusted friends who border Russia – to hold on to even the smallest illusions, hoping that “it will not be like in Ukraine,” or that today’s drone strike is just an isolated incident, or that “they are not crazy.” Believe us, we understand your feelings and wish we were wrong, but it is better to prepare for what “russkiy mir” might bring to your land – the worst. At least, to prevent it.

 “In these difficult times, our nations must stand united and strong, knowing that we face the same enemy,” says Inna Sergiyenko, founder of NGO “Child with Future.” “We are ready to prepare and share with our Polish friends all the materials and experience we have about supporting children with special needs during wartime. This experience is priceless because it was earned through the suffering of Ukrainians, written in history, and forged by war. I am sure we are not the first Ukrainians today to express support for Poland and call on others to do the same. We can defeat the enemy only together!”

Contacts of NGO “Child with Future”:

Website: https://cwf.com.ua/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Childwithfuture

Email: iryna.cwf@gmail.com

MGO „Dziecko z przyszłością” wzywa do wsparcia polskich rodzin, w tym rodzin wychowujących dzieci z autyzmem

W związku z masowym atakiem rosyjskich dronów na Polskę, ukraińska MGO „Dziecko z przyszłością” deklaruje gotowość w najkrótszym czasie podzielić się z polskimi rodzinami wychowującymi dzieci z autyzmem doświadczeniem i praktycznymi rekomendacjami, jakie Ukraińcy zdobyli w ciągu 3,5 roku rosyjskiej pełnoskalowej inwazji.

„Przecież oni nie są szaleni” – mówili Ukraińcy o Rosjanach w 2014 roku, a potem to samo powtarzali w 2022. Ale ani ta, ani inne mantry wobec Rosjan się nie sprawdziły, chociaż rzeczywiście nie są szaleni: dzisiejsza Federacja Rosyjska to podły, cyniczny i okrutny agresor.

Dlatego nikomu – a szczególnie naszym sprawdzonym przyjaciołom, którzy graniczą z Rosją – absolutnie nie radzilibyśmy żywić choćby najmniejszych złudnych nadziei, licząc, że u was nie będzie tak, jak w Ukrainie, że dzisiejszy nalot dronów to tylko przykra, jednostkowa sytuacja i że „przecież oni nie są szaleni”. Uwierzcie, rozumiemy was i chcielibyśmy się mylić, ale lepiej przygotować się na to, co może przynieść również na waszą ziemię „russkij mir” – czyli na najgorsze. Przynajmniej po to, by temu zapobiec.

W tych trudnych czasach nasze narody muszą być zjednoczone i solidarne, rozumiejąc, że mamy wspólnego wroga – mówi Inna Serhijenko, założycielka MGO „Dziecko z przyszłością”. – Jesteśmy gotowi przygotować i przekazać naszym polskim przyjaciołom wszystkie materiały, podzielić się całym doświadczeniem związanym ze wsparciem i opieką nad dziećmi ze specjalnymi potrzebami podczas działań wojennych. To doświadczenie, wierzcie, trudno przecenić, ponieważ zostało ono okupione cierpieniem Ukraińców, zapisane w historii i zahartowane przez wojnę. Jestem pewna, że nie jesteśmy pierwszymi Ukraińcami, którzy dziś wyrazili wsparcie i wzywają innych do solidarności z Polską w tym mrocznym czasie. Pokonać wroga możemy tylko razem!

Kontakt MGO „Dziecko z przyszłością”:

strona: https://cwf.com.ua/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Childwithfuture

e-mail: iryna.cwf@gmail.com

МГО «Дитина з майбутнім» закликає підтримати польські родини, зокрема, з дітьми з аутизмом

У звʼязку з масованою атакою російських БПЛА на Польщу, українська МГО «Дитина з майбутнім» заявляє про готовність у найстисліші терміни поділитися з польськими родинами, що виховують дітей з аутизмом, досвідом і практичними рекомендаціями, які українці винесли за 3,5 роки російського повномасштабного вторгнення.

«Вони ж не божевільні», – казали українці про росіян у 2014 році, а потім те ж саме повторювали у 2022-му. Та ні ця, ні інші мантри з росіянами не спрацювали, хоча вони дійсно не божевільні: нинішня РФ – підлий, цинічний і жорстокий агресор. 

Тому ми нікому-нікому – особливо нашим перевіреним друзям, що межують з РФ, – категорично не радили би плекати найменші рожеві надії, сподіваючись, що у вас не буде так, як в Україні, що сьогоднішній наліт дронів – лише прикрий поодинокий інцидент, і що «вони ж не божевільні». Повірте, ми вас розуміємо і хотіли би помилятися, але краще готуватися до того, що може принести й на вашу землю «рускій мір», – до найгіршого. Принаймні, щоб його не допустити. 

У ці важкі часи наші народи мають бути єдиними й консолідованими, розуміючи, що ворог у нас один, – каже Інна Сергієнко, засновниця МГО «Дитина з майбутнім». – Ми готові підготувати й передати нашим друзям-полякам усі матеріали, поділитися усім досвідом, що стосується підтримки і супроводу особливих дітей під час військових дій. І цей досвід, повірте, важко переоцінити, бо він вистражданий українцями, закарбований історією і загартований війною. Я впевнена, ми вже не перші українці, хто висловив сьогодні підтримку і закликає інших до підтримки Польщі у цей темний час. Здолати ворога ми можемо лише разом! 

Контакти МГО “Дитина з майбутнім”:

сайт https://cwf.com.ua/

Сторінка Фейсбук https://www.facebook.com/Childwithfuture

пошта iryna.cwf@gmail.com

The presentation of the book was accompanied by the festive opening of the exhibition of Max Brovchenko’s paintings (their printed versions), which was held on May 23, 2024, in the hall “Holy Prague”. The exhibition of the young artist’s paintings will be on display throughout the World of Books exhibition. 

Maksym’s mother Oksana noted: 

“This event was inspiring and responsible for Maksym. I am proud of my son, proud of his talent and desire to do good, to give people joy, and, most importantly, to inform about the existence of autism, human diversity, and equality despite differences, despite the extremely difficult time for our country. We sincerely thank the Czech Republic for the invitation and friendly, warm atmosphere.”

The translation of “Planet A” is a unique edition with a total print run of 2500 copies. First, the book is bilingual – 154 pages in Czech and Ukrainian. Secondly, the book is full-color and fully illustrated with unsurpassed space paintings by Maksym Brovchenko. 

The book is intended for young and adult readers. This is exactly the type of literature that knows no age restrictions because it has many hidden levels. Max talks about the characteristics of autistic people and why they are different from others. He writes about the worldview of the inhabitants of Planet A, their high sensitivity, difficulties with adaptation, the rules of education, and the coexistence of individuals who have never known wars in the history of their civilization. 

Maksym was happy to sign the book for everyone, which you can see here

The publishing house also “blessed” “Planet A” with golden paper stars, a Czech tradition that says the book will be successful.

Inna Sergienko, the consul of Autism Europe and the founder of the NGO “Child with Future”, who takes care of Maksym’s activities, shared her impressions:

“Today Maksym’s book “Planet A” has started its amazing journey around the world. We are extremely happy about this event, because as many people as possible will learn about the feelings of autistic people and their worldview. And this will happen not in a dry academic form but in a fantastic format of a child’s live story. In my opinion, this is the way to convey the information that there are children who perceive life differently. I am personally very happy because Maksym is happy. Our organization did everything possible to make this happen. For me, as a mother of a teenager with ASD, this is the biggest reward.” 

We would like to thank the organizers of the “World of Books” exhibition for a great opportunity to tell not only about “Planet A”, as well as about all autistic people, their peculiarities, their originality, and their talent. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the team of ATYP Press s.r.o. for their invaluable contribution to the development of tolerance and raising awareness about people with mental disabilities. 

You can buy the Czech translation of Planet A by Maksym Brovchenko online at ATYP Press s.r.o. or in bookstores in the Czech Republic. The Ukrainian version is available at the Yakaboo online store.

We would like to remind you that Maksym Brovchenko is a well-known young artist whose talent has been supported by the “Child with Future” Foundation for many years. Before the large-scale invasion, the boy painted pictures exclusively about space. After the attack by the russian aggressor, the little “Ukrainian Picasso”, as the Ukrainian media nicknamed him, began to create patriotic paintings, the proceeds from which the schoolboy sends to the Armed Forces and support for Ukrainian autistic children. For such childlike dedication and assistance to the Ukrainian army, Maksym Brovchenko received an award from the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Learn more about Maksym Brovchenko on the artist’s website. And be sure to follow our news, because very soon you will find another good news – “Planet A” will be released in Czech in the format of an audiobook! Watch the video about the recording process here. 

These conclusions follow from the annual survey conducted by the “Child with a Future” NGO on March 29-April 21, 2024. This time we surveyed three groups of Ukrainian citizens: 1) those who have remained in Ukraine since 2022; 2) those who were forced to leave and have already returned; and 3) those who left and remained abroad. This methodology was chosen to better and more hear the opinions of people who are forced to live (or have lived) in different countries, languages, and cultural environments. Their experiences have a significant impact on their survey responses.

The full version of the new survey is available on our website, Facebook, and Telegram.

The profile of the survey participants is as follows:

• 77% are people living in urban areas of Ukraine, where the infrastructure for supporting special children is much better than in rural areas. 
• 94% of them are parents of autistic children, and a quarter of the respondents have the status of IDPs.

As for the respondents who temporarily reside abroad, half of them are in Central and Eastern Europe, and half are in Western Europe. All of them have official refugee status.  

Regarding the age of children whose parents participated in the survey, for all categories of respondents, more than 60% are children under 14. At the same time, families living in Ukraine have mostly younger children (under 10 years old), while more than 30% of families living abroad have older children – 14+.

As our last survey was conducted in April 2023, we first wanted to know whether the overall situation with autism in Ukraine has changed over the past year. About 60% of people living in Ukraine said that they had not felt any changes, about a third saw a deterioration, and every tenth saw an improvement. From abroad, our citizens see this situation differently: “has not changed” – 37.4%; “has changed for the worse” – 35.3%; “for the better” – 27.3%.  

When asked about changes in the child’s condition over the past year, all respondents, regardless of their place of actual residence, answered almost identically. All of them noted that the biggest problems of their children are: 

1. anxiety;
2. sleep disorders; 
3. eating disorders. 

However, three times as many parents noted progress in their child’s development as regression, and about 15% of respondents reported no changes.

As for the factors that directly or indirectly caused the above changes and became the biggest challenges for Ukrainian families over the past year, the answers were divided, although not in all respects.

Thus, the TOP-5 challenges for the first category of respondents (those who stayed) were (the sum of the two highest scores):

1.   Financial difficulties – 91.3%.
2.   Lack of services and staff for the child – 82.5%.
3.   Psychological factor – 82.4%.
4.   Problems with nutrition – 73.1%.
5.   Military actions and life threats – 55.5%.

The inability to plan and bureaucratic obstacles are in sixth and seventh place, accordingly.

The least important problems mentioned by these respondents are logistical problems, lack of information, and problems with medicines.

TOP-5 challenges for the second category of survey participants (those who have left and already returned) are as follows:

1.   The inability to plan – 50.4%.
2.   Military actions and life threats – 48.9%.
3.   Psychological factor – 42.9%.
4.   Financial difficulties – 33.4%.
5.   Lack of services and specialists for children – 32.2%.

In sixth and seventh place are problems with nutrition and bureaucratic obstacles.

The least important problems for this group of respondents are problems with medicines, lack of information, and logistical problems.

TOP-5 challenges for the third category of respondents (those who are still abroad):

1.   The psychological factor – 97%.
2.   Inability to plan – 82.2%
3.   Different language environment – 70.8%.
4.   Lack of services and staff for the child – 62.3%.
5.   Military actions and life threats – 60.3%.

Financial issues and bureaucratic obstacles are in the sixth and seventh places.

The least significant problems mentioned by this group of respondents were: nutrition, lack of information, logistical problems, and problems with medicines.

As for the level of the areas on which support for autistic children depends, the respondents’ answers were divided as follows.

The top 5 lowest scores were given to the following areas (sum of the two lowest scores):

The first category (Remained)

1.   Communication with peers and friends.
2.   Readiness of educational institutions to work with autistic children.
3.   The attitude of society towards autistic children in everyday life.
4.   Infrastructure for autistic children (except for educational establishments).
5.   State support.

The best scores were given by the participants of this group of respondents to such factors as accessibility and cost of medical services, professional level of specialists for autistic children, and the cost of their services.

The answers of the participants of the second category (Returned) are quite different:

We also asked the respondents to assess the level of support for autistic children in their countries of residence, and obtained the following results:

Citizens of Ukraine who remain abroad with their children assessed the state of affairs in their country of residence:

It is interesting that the answers in this part of the survey, as well as in the assessment of the second category of respondents of the autism support system in their countries of recent residence, were distributed most evenly compared to all other questions in the questionnaire. This can be explained by the fact that this group of respondents has been in and assessed the situation in different EU countries, where the level of support for autistic children is also known to be different. This is a rather unique situation that requires further study, as we have the numbers but not the reasons behind them. In the end, the third category of Ukrainian families has changed their perception of the level of support for children with special needs abroad the most. For example, 67% of them changed their perception for the worse, and 23% for the better. The second category was not asked this question.

The last question we asked the survey participants was whether they planned to return to Ukraine, or if they were considering leaving it. The overwhelming majority of citizens living in Ukraine do not intend to leave Ukraine, although if events (russian aggression) develop dramatically, they do not exclude this possibility.

As for citizens living abroad, most of them found it difficult to say for sure: some are going to return after Ukraine’s victory, others – after the restoration of at least some living conditions or the end of hostilities at home. The option “we decided not to return” was chosen by 0% of Ukrainian families.

If we summarize and briefly present the survey results by group, we get the following picture. 

Results of the survey of the first group of respondents

• In their opinion, the situation with autism in Ukraine has not changed over the past year.
• Parents observe increased anxiety, sleep, and eating disorders in autistic children. However, 44% of the children have made progress. Regression is noted by 16.4% of parents.
• The most sensitive issues for families raising autistic children are financial difficulties, lack of staff, psychological conditions, inability to plan, and safety issues. 
• The level of state support at all levels (from the national to the school level) is low.
• The readiness of educational establishments to work with autistic children is extremely low.
• The level of support from compatriots is low, lower than last year.
• The vast majority of respondents do not consider moving abroad.

Results of the survey of the second group of respondents

• Half of the participants believe that the situation with autism in Ukraine has not changed in general, one-third think it has worsened, and 15% think it has improved.
• Children have increased anxiety, sleep, and eating disorders. Progress in children is noted by 38.5% of participants, regression – by 15.4%.
• The most vulnerable problems are the inability to plan, lack of security, psychological factors, financial difficulties, and lack of staff.
• The level of state support at all levels is low, educational institutions and society are not ready for autistic children, and communication with peers and friends is unsatisfactory.
• The same is true for the attitude toward autism abroad: financial accessibility of services for autistic children is offset by their physical inaccessibility; educational institutions are not ready for autistic children, treatment is expensive, there is no one to make friends with, and the level of support from compatriots is low.
• People are not going to leave Ukraine again, but if the aggressor succeeds in the country, most of them will be forced to put the question of re-emigration on the table.

Results of the survey of the third group of respondents

• Attitudes toward the autism support system in Ukraine are divided: one-third of respondents believe that nothing has changed in Ukraine over the past year, one-third believe it has changed for the better, and the same number believe it has changed for the worse.
• Children abroad also have increased anxiety, sleep, and eating disorders. According to parents, one-third of children’s condition has improved. Regression is reported by 12.1% of parents.
• The biggest challenges of the last year are the psychological factor, inability to plan, different language environments, and bureaucracy.
• In countries of temporary residence, the most difficult things are communication with peers, expensive medicines and services for autism, and low levels of support from compatriots.
• The majority of respondents consider the existing support system in the host countries to be ineffective, and attitudes towards it have changed significantly for the worse.
• The greatest needs are for medical examinations, experts, and communication, which are not available abroad.
• None of the respondents said they were going to stay abroad. However, the group members associate their return to Ukraine with the Victory of Ukraine, the end of military operations in their region, and the restoration of minimum conditions for peaceful living and child development.

General conclusions of the survey-2024 of the NGO “Child with Future”

• Among the target audience (TA) of the survey (Ukrainian families with autistic children), the most active were those citizens who stayed in Ukraine. Their answers also have the highest rates of both “+” and “-“, which indicates a high emotional sensitivity of people and is quite reasonable and understandable. They have been living in the conditions of ruthless russian aggression for three years now, the largest war in Europe since the Second World War.
• Citizens who were forced to leave Ukraine and still live in the EU are less ready to make categorical conclusions. Their answers are more moderate, but their civic engagement is much lower compared to the first two categories of respondents. On the other hand, long stays in other countries have made many of them realize that the system of support for children with special needs in Ukraine is not as weak as they thought before and that in other countries this sector has both its advantages and disadvantages. Compared to previous years, this category demonstrated the most moderate and critical attitude towards the establishments of the countries where they live.
• The TA’s activity has increased significantly compared to previous years (the indicator is the number of respondents). We want to believe that this is not an accidental mathematical category, but a social demand and the readiness of Ukrainian citizens to participate in the formation of a tolerant society. 
• Unfortunately, the assessment of the state of affairs with support for autistic children in the country is low, and the readiness of Ukrainian educational establishments to work with children with special needs is even lower. Such indicators as “tolerance of society” and ” involvement of other citizens” in supporting persons with disabilities are also very low. There is an acute shortage of qualified personnel everywhere.
• Despite all the challenges and problems, parents of a significant number of children in all three categories note progress, and we are very happy for them. At the same time, the rates of anxiety, sleep, and eating disorders are the highest in the history of our surveys. The war is taking its toll, and all Ukrainian children and their families are living in such conditions every day. But we are holding on. 
• Finally, respondents demonstrated the highest consensus when asked about their possible departure abroad and return to Ukraine. Everyone abroad wants to return home, and no one living in Ukraine wants to go abroad. Only intense hostilities can cause the forced evacuation of Ukrainians from their homes. We are fighting! 

Presentation of the Results of the Survey-2024 in Ukrainian

Presentation of the Results of the Survey-2024 in English

Inna Sergienko, founder of the “Child with Future” NGO and Autism Europe Consul in Ukraine:

“The war has set its priorities for the entire Ukrainian society and state. Many issues that previously seemed to be of primary importance have become secondary, as the survival of the nation and the state itself is on the table. The survey is another reminder of the difficult conditions families with special children are facing today and that the war is not a reason to turn away from them. We are fighting for freedom and democracy in a free and fair country for each citizen. 

On behalf of our entire team, I would like to sincerely thank the governments, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens of each country who have sheltered Ukrainians from the aggressor and the war waged by russia. I would like to thank the participants of the survey and wish them, all of us, all our friends and partners a speedy victory and a peaceful sky. And, of course, I want our information to be useful for all stakeholders who are concerned with the mental health of children in Ukraine and other countries. 

REFERENCES:

This survey was conducted through an online questionnaire. More than 500 families took part in it, most of whom currently live in Ukraine, and a smaller number in EU countries, where they were forced to leave due to russian aggression in 2022. “Child with Future” is a Ukrainian NGO based in Kyiv. It has been supporting and protecting the rights of autistic children since 2009 and has been a member of the board of Autism Europe since 2012. The organization regularly holds surveys of citizens whose lives and professional activities are related to autism and other developmental disabilities. Although they are not representative from a sociological point of view, this approach allows us to obtain generalized estimates and share them with the public. 

The channel was created to improve communication between people who have autistic children and other special needs, to produce and disseminate verified information, to provide qualified answers to frequently asked questions, etc.

We want this channel to be useful for Ukrainians with autism and other developmental disabilities, regardless of their age and place of residence, their families, friends, and professionals,” explains Inna Sergienko, founder of the Child with a Future NGO. – “We also hope that with its help we will become more accessible and useful for those Ukrainian citizens who are in the temporarily occupied territories, forced to live and raise children under severe pressure, lack of professional support and other vital things.

The team of the “Child with Future” calls on everyone who cares about the upbringing and development of autistic children and other special needs to join the active communication on this platform.

We are open to partnerships and all other forms of cooperation with everyone who dreams and wants to make the lives of Ukrainian children with special needs easier and happier, society more tolerant, and victory closer thanks to all our joint efforts.

So join in, dear friends, and take care of yourself! Let’s keep going!

Link to the channel: https://t.me/+vi8CcHBfVi45MGVi

This time, the exhibition was special, as Maksym Brovchenko presented to the guests not only paintings, but also his own book “Planet A”, illustrated with his own paintings about space. The book tells the story of the inhabitants of a distant planet, their way of life and interaction, and the simple rules of coexistence that have made this alien civilization never experience war. 

The young artist recently published his book in Ukraine, which proved to be so successful that the work was translated abroad – on World Autism Awareness Day, the book will be available in Czech. 

The book was a big hit with the event’s attendees, who were excited to hear Maksym talk about his work and its characters. 

“I am very grateful to the Young Reader for giving Max the opportunity to talk about the book and demonstrate his artworks. We all lack love and kindness in these extremely difficult times of war for Ukraine. And I am proud that my son can pass on his warmth at least a little bit,” said Maksym’s mother Oksana Brovchenko. 

And we remind you that the young artist, whose talent has been nurtured by the “Child with Future” NGO for many years, has been volunteering, selling his paintings and sending money to the Armed Forces. For this, the 12-year-old boy received an award from the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.