Supporting the adaptation and integration of Ukrainian families with children with special needs in Prague

The aim of the project is to provide professional support to families with children with special needs, especially refugees from Ukraine, and to facilitate their integration into Czech society. The project responds to the need for individual support for children and parents in adapting to a new environment and coping with traumatic experiences.

The project includes psychological, speech therapy and special education support, intercultural work and group activities for children. It takes place in community centres and counselling rooms in Prague.

The need for the project stems from the current refugee situation, in which families face complex challenges in integrating into Czech society. The project builds on the organisation’s experience with similar activities that have long helped improve the quality of life of the target group.

Activities implemented within the project:

• Individual professional support: Individual psychological, speech therapy and special education support for children with special needs and their parents, especially refugees from Ukraine. The emphasis is on cultural sensitivity, working in the mother tongue and respect for the individual needs of each family. Regular sessions according to an individual plan support coping with trauma, emotional stabilisation, the development of communication and motor skills, and adaptation to the new environment.
• Intercultural work and raising awareness: Individual support through intercultural workers in the form of interpreting, accompanying people to institutions, orientation in the Czech healthcare and education systems, finding professional help and support with administrative matters. Connecting families with non-profit organisations, legal services and other specialised programmes contributes to their gradual independence and social integration.
• Group sensory integration and social adaptation: Regular group sessions in the newly equipped sensory room at the AMIGA community centre, focused on stimulating the sensory systems and developing fine and gross motor, communication and self-care skills. They include elements of aromatherapy, sand therapy, water play and movement activities. The programme also develops social interaction and helps children become part of a group.
• Inclusive and self-help support: Community meetings of parents and children with special needs that encourage the exchange of experience, sharing of information and strengthening of parental and children’s competences. Activities include playful Czech, dance therapy, canine therapy, art therapy and joint trips. An important element is also an online group on Telegram, which serves as a tool for building a supportive community and passing on useful information.

The project takes place at the AMIGA community centre, in the field and partly online, with the aim of comprehensively supporting Ukrainian families with children with special needs.

The project is implemented with financial support from the City of Prague.

Project coordinator: Dinara Akhmetova, akhmetova@amiga-migrant.cz