When Nazar was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, words were scarce. He avoided peers and couldn’t name what he felt. The world was too loud, too fast, too unclear.

His parents came to our Save Ukraine center believing that change was possible. We started together.

First came finger paints and sensory play, then watercolors, one-to-one sessions with a psychologist, drawing emotions, and a “tree of success” where Nazar placed symbols of his own achievements. The first shifts took time—two years. Then Nazar began to bring us his drawings and whisper, “Do you like it?” He started labeling colors as feelings: “Red means I’m angry,” “Yellow means I’m happy.” He learned to work in pairs and created a joint collage for a school exhibition. New tasks no longer shut him down; he met them more calmly, with growing confidence.

Most importantly, he found his voice—first about his art, then about his favorite games. Art therapy became a language he could understand. Through it, he learned to understand himself—and to trust others.

At Save Ukraine, we know every child has their own rhythm and pace. What matters is that someone walks alongside them. That’s when change begins.

🤍 If this story resonates, please share it—someone in your network may need to know that help exists.

This project was created by Save Ukraine with a grant from the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine. The program is implemented by Crown Agents and Integrity Action.