The diagnosis that parents face over time was made years ago for the child of one of the employees of the Medical Network "Dobrobut." Iryna Levytska, the operational director of the "Tatarska" and "Obolon-1" network units, candidly shares what she had to go through.
Life Goes On
During our conversation, Iryna Levytska immediately said, "Just don't think that because of the autistic spectrum disorders, you will have to forget about yourself for the sake of your child. Nothing like that. You must not fixate on the problem and sacrifice yourself. It's like on an airplane in an emergency: you put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then on your child. In other words, you should continue to live a full life; you just need to understand that it will be more challenging for you than for others."
First Grade and ... the First Shock
My younger son is now 10 years old. However, from the age of two, Sasha began to exhibit tics, meaning involuntary twitches. I couldn't understand what this was, and we spent a long time visiting doctors. At first, he was prescribed sedatives, but his condition did not change, even though he developed like other children.
I remember how we went to school. When Sasha entered the classroom, it was as if he had been replaced. He fell on the floor, knocked over chairs, pushed other children, and began to scream. It was a shock for me. I never thought my son was a socially maladjusted child. The next three months were very painful for us: I would take him to school—he didn't want to go, he cried, he felt bad there... And closer to the New Year, he began to have seizures against the background of an otherwise normal state of health. And again, we visited doctors, and once again, no one could provide a diagnosis... This period lasted about two years until my son was eventually diagnosed.
Time Should Not Be Wasted
Sasha's primary diagnosis is Tourette syndrome (the appearance of sudden tics), and the accompanying diagnosis is a mild autism spectrum disorder. After the diagnosis was established, I was told that the child needed to be adapted. But six years have passed, and he still hasn't received what is important for children with autism. When the breakdown occurred at school, this became evident. I spent another two years searching for a specialist who could help facilitate my son's adaptation.
Now, Sasha is doing well. He goes to school, and there are only six children in his class. We prepared him for any changes—and it’s not complicated at all. You just need to know how and what to do all the time.
What Parents Should Know
Parents of children with autism need to understand: you can only change something by fully accepting the situation. Of course, such news will still evoke internal resistance. But we won’t be with our children forever. It is the parents’ task to adapt their children to society, as the quality of their future life directly depends on this. That’s why it is crucial to do everything possible to ease the life of an autistic child now and in the future.
My story served as an impetus to ensure that special children receive a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. Those parents who bring their child for a consultation at "Dobrobut" will receive a complete understanding of the established diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the corrective program they need. Parents will be timely guided on what and how to do—there will be no need to send them to various medical centers; everything will take place in one location: both the diagnosis and rehabilitation.
Every Case Is Different
I understand that all cases of the disease are not alike. There are often situations that are much more severe than mine. I remember that at first, I was scared because I understood that something was wrong with my child. The hardest part was when no one could tell me what to do. That’s why I want to ensure that mothers and fathers facing similar problems can receive real support. In this situation, a comprehensive approach is crucial to help both children and adults cope with the issue. Relief comes when you start to understand what needs to be done next.
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