Impact of the October 7 Attack: PTSD in Autistic Children and Increased PTSD

It is difficult for parents to deal with an autistic child in normal times, but in the fight against terrorism it is even harder.

A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) examining the effects of the October 7 Hamas attack has found that within a month of the horrific events, both autistic and non-autistic children showed severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most worryingly, autistic children – who normally suffer from intense vulnerability – showed a more marked reaction, and their parents suffered higher levels of depression, stress and anxiety.

The important research highlighted the urgent need for specialist mental health care for these families – not only immediate, but also ongoing emotional support for all young people and parents affected by the terrible events.

About one in 100 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way people communicate, interact, behave and learn. Symptoms, which include difficulty switching between activities and unusual responses to sensations, usually first appear before a child’s second birthday. It is four times more common in boys than girls.

Support for hundreds of professional caregivers and training to care for October 7 victims, mental health workers / (Photo: McCann)

ALUT, the National Israeli Association for Children and Adults with Autism, is the world’s leading organization for diagnosis, treatment, advocacy and research. The organization serves over 15,000 families across the country, but there are many more affected families who are not affiliated.

The first-ever study of autistic children and their parents during wartime was led by doctoral student Shir Rozenblat under the supervision of Dr. Judah Koller of HU’s Seymour Fox School of Education. The alarming preliminary findings about the impact of terrorism and war on this population highlight the critical need for tailored support services for such families.

Within the geopolitical conflict in Israel, children living in the south – a region exposed to security threats and rocket attacks for years – have been shown to experience greater emotional and behavioral problems than children in the center of the country.

Stress levels have increased

Levels of stress, depression and anxiety among parents were found to be two to four times higher than what was reported by an independent peer group of parents of autistic children assessed before the war in a study conducted by the Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Beersheba.

The link to the online study was distributed via social media and online platforms by HU’s Autism Child and Family Lab, the Azrieli National Center and ALUT. The final sample consisted of 57 parents (75% mothers) who reported having an autistic child (56% boys) with a mean age of seven years, and 35 parents (74% mothers) with a non-autistic child of the same age.

“Raising a child during wartime is a universal challenge, but our findings highlight the need for such families to receive tailored psychological support that takes into account their unique characteristics,” Koller said. “Our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing effects of war on these vulnerable populations and to advocate for necessary support services.”

The study, published in the journal Stress and Health under the title “Autistic children and their parents in the context of war: preliminary findings,” used questionnaires that caregivers responded to online.

The team said their preliminary findings were a “crucial first step in a year-long longitudinal study.” The authors called on policymakers and health care providers to prioritize the specific needs of autistic children and their families, not only in Israel but also in similar conflict-affected regions worldwide, including Ukraine.

Stress levels have increased

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