Gaza war intensifies struggles for autistic children as bombing disrupts routines
Continuous bombing in Gaza has severely disrupted the routines of autistic children, causing sensory shocks and behavioral relapses. Families struggle to provide stability amid the destruction and loss.
Ahmed, a 16-year-old with autism, previously thrived in school, football, Quran memorisation, and English, but now lives confined indoors after losing his home and facilities. Severe malnutrition led to a ruptured appendix and a subsequent infection requiring a second abdominal surgery.
Psychological specialist Diaa Abu Aoun notes that constant explosions cause sensory shocks, leading to insomnia, digestive issues, and uncontrollable screaming. In Nuseirat camp, 19-year-old Muneer al-Haj, who once followed a rehabilitation path and excelled in drawing, now paces and makes sounds to drown out airstrike noises.
The intensifying conflict could leave a lasting developmental deficit for autistic children in Gaza, as the destruction of specialised services and routine-based care may trigger permanent behavioural regressions. Families, already grappling with displacement and loss, may face overwhelming caregiving burdens without adequate psychological or medical support. This situation could also strain the enclave's fragile healthcare infrastructure, potentially leading to generational impacts on mental health and social integration for these vulnerable individuals.