The emotional fallout of terrorism and war is great for children, especially those with autism Researchers say Hamas' terror attack on Israel has triggered significant post-traumatic stress in this population Parents are suffering, too, underscoring the need for mental health supports FRIDAY, July 12, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel has left children and parents with significant psychological scars, a new study shows. But families with a child who has autism have been especially hard hit, according to researchers from the at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
"Parenting a child during wartime is a universal challenge, but our findings indicate that autistic children and their parents...
need targeted mental health support that takes into account their unique characteristics," said , the center's co-founder and an assistant professor at the Seymour Fox School of Education. Within a month of the Hamas terror attack, all children were experiencing significant post-traumatic stress, the study found. Children with autism had what researchers described as a more pronounced response, indicative of their increased vulnerability.
Their parents, meanwhile, had higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, highlighting the urgent need for mental health services for families affected by the ongoing conflict. Researchers said their mental health struggles were two to four times higher than reported in a pre-war study conducted by the Azrieli National Center .