A sweet treat, parents and children together, feeling safe. This is the atmosphere in which LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB celebrates its third anniversary. The center supports children with autism spectrum disorders by providing free corrective therapy sessions and support for parents, for whom an autism diagnosis often means constantly searching for answers and for a community where they feel understood and accepted.
The first LEVCHYK was established by the Future for Ukraine charitable foundation in Lviv three years ago to support internally displaced families who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. For children on the spectrum, such life changes are a serious challenge: explosions, relocation, and unfamiliar environments can lead to regression in previously developed skills — children may stop speaking, withdraw into themselves, or, on the contrary, become overly aggressive. To adapt, they need a safe space where they are understood, along with professional therapeutic support.
LEVCHYK has become exactly that space for children and their families in Lviv. The hub features specially equipped rooms for sensory therapy and ABA therapy, where children learn balance, body and emotional regulation, and develop an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships. In the music therapy room, children discover the healing power of music and their own talents. The first dark relaxation room in Ukraine allows children to rest from external stimuli and calm their nervous systems after active sessions. The hub also regularly provides speech therapy and neuropsychological support. Recently, small-group communication sessions have been introduced, where children learn to interact with peers through play.
Olha Hliuza, Head of the Helping Сhildren direction at the Future for Ukraine foundationFor children who have been attending the hub for three years or have reached preschool age, we conduct special school readiness classes. This is an important stage of socialization that helps a child adapt more easily to a new environment, reduce anxiety, and learn to follow rules. Such preparation significantly increases the chances of a child studying in a regular school
While children attend therapy sessions, parents communicate with one another, share experiences, receive support and feel less alone. The hub also regularly hosts meetings and support groups for parents. This support is especially valuable for families separated by the war.
In November 2025, LEVCHYK expanded to another hub in Mykolaiv in partnership with the Mykolaiv City Council, with grant support from Ecolab and Nova Ukraine, thanks to the constant support of the project’s patron, Vadym Stolar. 40 children are already attending the hub. The team of specialists is gradually expanding to ensure support for as many children as possible in the frontline region. According to preliminary estimates from the local Department of Social Protection, more than 300 children in Mykolaiv live with a confirmed autism diagnosis.
“Children on the spectrum need adaptation, a space where they can learn how to interact with the world and feel that the world is safe and welcoming. That is exactly what LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB provides,” says photographer Marta Grinshtein, whose son Ivan also attends the hub in Lviv.
To mark LEVCHYK’s anniversary, Marta organized a photo session for the children and their parents to capture joyful moments together. Previously, the photographer collaborated with Future for Ukraine on the joint photo project "Eye contact. A view in the spectrum” featuring children from LEVCHYK. Around 20 photo portraits were exhibited in cultural and business spaces in Lviv and Kyiv, allowing audiences to connect with the profound inner world of children on the autism spectrum through photography.
Over three years of operation, the LEVCHYK project has delivered more than 17,000 therapy sessions for children with ASD and has become a reliable source of support for more than 120 Ukrainian families during the war.
