Short communication: Psychological distress in autistic and non-autistic Israeli children exposed to war and terrorism

Exposure to war and terrorism is linked to psychological distress, impacting both those directly involved and their relatives. Children, who are especially vulnerable due to their developing cognitive and emotional capacities, are significantly affected. However, there is a lack of research on the psychological effects of war and terrorism on autistic children. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the psychological distress experienced by Israeli autistic children compared to non-autistic children following the October 7th, 2023, terrorism attack and subsequent war. The study involved 228 parents of children aged 4–11 (134 autistic, 94 non-autistic) who completed online questionnaires regarding their child's exposure to war events and anxiety levels. Results showed that nearly all children were exposed to traumatic events. While non-autistic children had higher exposure rates, autistic children exhibited greater anxiety aggravation, particularly concerning physical injury, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. These findings highlight the unique vulnerability of autistic children during severe traumatic events and emphasize the urgent need for early detection, diagnosis, and specialized treatment of trauma in autistic children in conflict-affected regions.