Mykola’s mighty victory in Ukraine

“He heard explosions … then stopped talking”

Victory doesn’t come easily — just ask Mykola. Named for triumph, he’s spent his life battling to earn it. But he hasn’t walked the path alone: a circle of determined, compassionate supporters has helped carry him through.

Even before the first bombs fell on Ukraine, 14-year-old Mykola’s life was already complicated. As a boy with autism spectrum disorder, he has many unique gifts. He’s also faced years of social and educational challenges. Especially when in school.

Then, in 2022, Mykola’s city in southern Ukraine came under attack. “Mykola heard explosions,” said his father, Hennadiy, “and that’s when he stopped talking. Later, he saw me covered in blood from a bullet wound. That completely terrified him.” The deafening roar of airstrikes shattered Mykola’s world. The noise, the chaos and the violent sights overwhelmed his sensitive senses. For children with autism, such wartime experiences can present as actual physical pain.

When senses shut down

The horror of armed conflict can traumatize any child—even to the point of muteness. After the 2016 battle for Mosul, Iraq, for instance, World Vision met many child survivors who were too terrified to speak.

But studies show that people on the autism spectrum can suffer even more cruelly in armed conflict than those without, due to:

• Sensory overload from shelling and explosions.

• Stress, caused by unfamiliar, loud, crowded environments.

• Disruption in routine and daily environment.

• Lack of appropriate support services.

• Greater vulnerability to abandonment, neglect, and abuse.

One study explored the impact on Israeli children of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. It discovered autistic children showed more pronounced post-traumatic stress symptoms than did other girls and boys.

“He couldn’t use his hands”

Before conflict in Ukraine, Mykola and his brother attended regular school as part of the country’s “inclusivity” approach.

But as the terrifying attacks moved ever closer to their city, their father knew that his family would soon need to flee. The danger of injury or death was horrifyingly real. And the stress Mykola battled was devastating to watch.

“Mykola had lost his speech”, says Hennadiy, who is raising his sons alone. “He couldn’t use his hands—to hold a pen or a spoon—and needed to be spoon-fed. His condition severely deteriorated.”

Reaching safety, finding healing

The family sheltered in their city until it was simply too dangerous to stay. Someone shot Hennadiy as he crossed a local bridge. Although bleeding, he was able to shepherd his sons out of the city to safety.

In all parts of the world, World Vision teams up with local agencies to provide children with the care they need. “Save Ukraine” was our partner in this case. They helped Hennadiy and his boys reach safety, settle in, recover and heal. We help them provide:

• Safe accommodation in Irpin, some 600 kilometres from Mykola’s hometown of Kherson.

• Access to a learning centre in Irpin, where Mykola and his brother receive educational support, physical therapy and rehabilitative care.

• Mental and psychosocial support developed for children facing anxiety and trauma as the result of war.

“The centre serves children with disabilities,” explains Natalya Kravchenko, mother to a child with a disability, and a teacher at the centre. “Currently, we serve 71 children with disabilities and 54 from the local Irpin community. I see this as my mission.”

Hennadiy enrolled Mykola and his brother as soon as the centre opened. “Speech therapy, physical therapy, mental health, art, Ukrainian language classes … children get all the attention here,” he said.

“Back to his regular self”

After months of hard work and tender care, Mykola is “back to his regular self,” said his dad. He has regained his speech and is fully active, including with his skateboard. He and his brother will soon be returning to regular school.

Receiving the right care at the right time can make all the difference for child survivors of war. Such programs are critical, since one in every six of the world's children lives in a conflict zone. In addition, one in every 100 kids in the world are estimated to have autism.

You can help children affected by war to survive, recover and heal. Donate today, to support World Vision’s emergency response to the Ukraine crisis.