The war in Ukraine has been extra tough for children with special needs and their families.
Just weeks ago, Svitlana and her three children woke up to find themselves in the middle of a war zone. Being forced from their home has been traumatic for the whole family — particularly for her son Petro, who has a severe form of autism. He "became very nervous and started beating against the walls, and has been very worried."
The family found refuge at the UNICEF-supported Start Center in Lviv, Ukraine, created to protect and care for children with disabilities.
"I know that there are a lot of children with special needs everywhere," said Svitlana. "Now all the children will have special needs. Because, as a speech pathologist, I understand what it means to be a child who has suffered. There are, in fact, a lot more children with special needs than some may think."
