Unlock the Solution: Mental Health Tips for Autistic Children During Conflict

A recent study conducted by Dr. Judah Koller from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem , along with his team led by doctoral student Shir Rozenblat , has highlighted the severe psychological impact of war on autistic children and their parents following the October 7 , 2023 , attack on Israel by Hamas . The study revealed that within a month of the attack , both autistic and non - autistic children exhibited significant post - traumatic stress symptoms . However , autistic children showed a more intense response , and their parents reported higher levels of depression , anxiety , and stress , emphasizing the urgent need for specialized Mental health services for these families . This underscores the necessity for tailored support services during conflicts.

The researchers used caregiver - report online questionnaires to quickly gather data from a broad population , acknowledging some limitations due to sample size and characteristics . They stress the importance of these preliminary findings as a first step in a year - long study , where they discovered that autistic children 's reliance on routine and predictability exacerbates their stress during war , leading to more pronounced post - traumatic stress symptoms . Parents of autistic children also experienced depression , anxiety , and stress levels two to four times higher than those of parents with non - autistic children , based on prior research from the Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben Gurion University.

The study , which was published in the journal Stress and Health , revealed alarming findings on the psychological impact of terrorism on autistic children and their parents following Hamas ' October 7th , 2023 attack on Israel . Within 30 days of the attack , both autistic and non - autistic children exhibited significant post - traumatic stress symptoms , with autistic children showing a more pronounced response , and their parents experiencing higher levels of depression , anxiety , and stress , underscoring the urgent need for specialized mental health services for these families . In the first ever study of autistic children and their parents in the context of war , Dr. Koller and his team found alarming preliminary findings on the impact of terrorism and war on this population.

The researchers have also collected data for a larger mixed - methods , cross - sectional study involving both autistic and non - autistic children and their parents . This effort , in collaboration with Dr. Yonat Rum from the School of Education , aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing effects of war and to advocate for necessary support services . The study calls for policymakers and health care providers to prioritize the specific needs of autistic children and their families , not only in Israel but in other conflict - affected regions . This project is a collaboration with ALUT , the Israeli Society for Autistic Children and Adults , Bar - Ilan University , and Ben - Gurion University.

In conclusion , the research conducted by Dr. Judah Koller and his team sheds light on the urgent necessity for tailored mental health support services for autistic children and their parents during times of conflict . The study underscores the unique challenges faced by autistic children and their families during wartime , emphasizing the critical need for immediate and ongoing support to address their psychological well - being.