This refugee boy in Germany loved his new fidget toys and the weighted blanket we sent. 

Kinetic sand is great for regulating tactile input. This boy's mother wrote to us, "I just wanted to say thank you to all people, who help in this project! We received a lot of toys to our new address in Germany and we have no idea whom we should thank. It was a big surprise for our son and he is sooo happy about it.

I am touched that somewhere in the world, there are people who care and who, even without knowing us, put their hearts and souls into helping. This gives me hope and faith in humanity."

This child in Germany did not want their photo taken, but wanted to thank you for the fidgets and the weighted blanket. 

This boys finds puzzles very regulating. His special interest is cars. We sent tactile toys, transportation-themed puzzles, and as well as a couple of other things for him explore his special interest. 

We knew that this refugee boy in Germany has a special interest in musical instruments, and also that he chews on everything he can. We sent a musical instrument set, a chewy toy, noise-canceling headphones, and some fidgets. His mom wrote to us, "Thank you so much for the wonderful gift for my son. You have nailed it with musical instruments. He is delighted with the toys and is making music all day long. You have helped us so much. Also thank you for the chewy toy. Our son has not parted with it since yesterday and he stopped chewing on other things. I did not know that these types of things exist. Thank you so much!"

This refugee girl in Germany loved the cuddle swing and tactile mats she has received. 

This young refugee boy in Romania is exploring his new tactile and fidget toys. We also sent sensory tactile mats and a half-sphere for vestibular and tactile stimulation. 

One of the very first children we helped, this boy received a weighted blanket decorated with cars, which he loves. His mom wrote, "We have received the weighted blanket, thank you! My son slept well last night for the first time in many weeks."

See what we did with help and support from our donors! Some of the families we have helped gave us permission to share photos of their children and some words from their emails to us. With continued support, we can help many more families of Ukrainian autistic children. 

This young refugee in Greece loves puzzles and transportation, has tactile and proprioceptive needs, and is sensitive to sounds. We sent noise-canceling headphones, a body sock,  many puzzles, and a swing. His mom wrote, "Thank you very much for our wonderful gifts, everything is great! We will keep learning and developing!"

Many Ukrainian autistic children  children struggle with sleep due to heightened anxiety from what they had to endure. This teenage boy in The Netherlands received a weighted blanket for better sleep. 

This boy's mom only asked for a couple of ARK Grabbers, which are chewy toys. Clearly, her son is happy to have them! 

This little girl in Lithuania needed tactile toys and a weighted blanket to regulate. It is amazing to see the immediate enjoyment of children when their sensory needs are met!

Children with autism in warzones, displacement, and refugee situations struggle with the complete loss of routines and predictability. They need sensory items like weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, indoor swings, chew toys, and tactile toys. These items are vital to helping children with autism cope with disruptions and distress caused by war.

                     Dr. Temple Grandin

This boy's family in Poland asked for tactile toys, a musical instrument set, and fine motor toys.
"We have received another package today. Thank you so much. My son loves sand."

“We have received the weighted blanket, kinetic sand, and anti-stress balls today. My son is so happy, he does not want to get out from under the blanket. The anti-stress ball we liked the best is, of course, in blue and yellow colors of Ukraine. Our hearts are filled with gratitude.”

“We are very grateful for the blanket and headphones! This is the best gift. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You've helped us a lot.”

These two siblings, one with multiple disabilities, received many toys to help with sensory regulation and development of fine and gross motor skills.  “Thank you, today the postman brought everything just in time for my daughter’s birthday! Happiness knows no bounds !!!”

This very active refugee boy in Poland, who, like so many others, has lost access to all therapies and developmental opportunities, received a mini-trampoline and a Swiss ball for happy bouncing and regulation. He also received some fidgets and tactile toys.

This boy, who has gone through shelling and bomb shelters, was in need of a tent to hide in. He also received fine and gross motor toys, and tactile toys for regulation. Look closely to see the heart he made for us out of the kinetic san we sent. I love the delight he is taking in his hiding place. This family was featured in a TV segment highlighting lives of Ukrainian refugees with disabilities in Germany. I will add subtitles eventually, but for now please watch it if you understand German.

We sent various things to this refugee girl, including tactile toys and a projector lamp for better sleep. Her mom wrote to share how calming the lamp was for her daughter and how grateful she was to have the kind of lamp that her daughter finds so comforting. It makes us very happy to know that this child will have a calming bedtime routine and will be sleeping well. Sweet dreams, little girl!