Koller's study highlighted the importance of drawing attention to the impact of war on autistic children (Lilac Hadar/Wikimedia Commons)
Dr. Judah Koller from the Seymour Fox School of Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem led a pioneering study on the impact of war on autistic children and their parents. This study focused on the psychological effects of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, examining the experiences of autistic children within 30 days after the attack.
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a spectrum of severity and lifelong effects, typically recognized in early childhood. It is characterized by difficulty in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Autistic individuals are also more likely to have mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to difficulty with controlling their emotions and impulses.
As of 2023, autism affects an estimated one in 100 children globally, totaling around 75 million children. The most diagnosed are in the country of Qatar, while the least are in the country of France.
Though it is not very clear, the available scientific evidence suggests that there are likely many factors that make a child more likely to have autism, such as their genetics and certain environmental factors.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The study involved 92 parents of children aged three to 17, including 57 parents of autistic children. On average, the children were around seven years old. Parents were asked several questions in a survey to try to understand the family's level of exposure to the attack and its impact on their child's daily life. Questions were asked regarding if the family was displaced, if anyone important in their life was killed, kidnapped, reported missing, or currently serving in the military. Additionally, the survey questioned if the child's education or other services were influenced and if the family's financial status was disrupted.
Parents also reported on their child's symptoms, rating 16 items for preschool children and 20 items for school-age children on a scale from “Never” to “Almost always”. Additionally, in this survey the parent was questioned on their child's ability for psychosocial functioning. They reported yes/no on five items, evaluating if the symptoms disrupted their child’s social life, school life, hobbies, family relationships, and general happiness.
Lastly, parents were asked to self-report on their own mental health. This included depression, anxiety, and stress. These were rated on a scale from “Does not apply to me” to “Applied to me very much or most of the time,” with total scores calculated from the relevant items.
Results
The study found that both autistic and non-autistic children exhibited significant posttraumatic stress symptoms within the 30 days following the attack. However, it seemed that autistic children experienced more posttraumatic stress, since their parents reported more pronounced negative emotional states. Additionally, parents of autistic children presented severe high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Levels were reported to be two to four times higher than before the war.
This study highlights the need for mental health support for all parents and children affected by this conflict. Researchers call-on policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize the specific needs of autistic children and their families, in conflict-affected regions around the world.
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