Study reveals psychological impact of war on autistic children

A recent study has highlighted the severe psychological impact of war on autistic children and their parents following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Within a month of the attack, both autistic and non-autistic children showed significant post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, autistic children showed a more intense reaction, and their parents reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, highlighting the urgent need for specialized mental health services for these families.

Dr. Judah Koller of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, along with his team led by PhD student Shir Rozenblat, conducted this groundbreaking study on the impact of war on autistic children and their families. Their findings underscore the need for tailored support services during conflict.

The study found that autistic children’s reliance on routine and predictability exacerbated their stress during the war and led to more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms. Parents of autistic children were also two to four times more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress than parents of non-autistic children, according to previous research from the Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben-Gurion University.

Dr Koller explained: “Raising a child in times of war is a universal challenge, but our findings show that autistic children and their parents face particular challenges. These children and families need targeted mental health support that takes into account their unique characteristics.”

The researchers used online questionnaires with caregiver data to quickly collect data from a broad population, while acknowledging some limitations due to the size and characteristics of the sample. They stress the importance of these preliminary results as the first step of a year-long study.

The research team, in collaboration with Dr. Yonat Rum of the School of Education, also collected data for a larger cross-sectional, mixed-methods study involving both autistic and non-autistic children and their parents. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing impact of the war and to advocate for necessary relief services.

The study calls on policymakers and health care providers to prioritize the special needs of autistic children and their families, not only in Israel but also in other conflict regions. This project is a collaboration with ALUT, the Israeli Society for Autistic Children and Adults, Bar-Ilan University and Ben-Gurion University.