Children with Autism in Gaza: Between war & insecurity

In Gaza’s overcrowded displacement camps, children with autism and their families face daily hardships.

Overwhelmed by constant noise, bombardment, and chaos, these children struggle to find the calm and routine they depend on.

Abdulrahman Al-Shami’s father said each new displacement “shatters Abdulrahman’s day, triggering hours of panic and crying.” Similarly, Norhan Al-Saadi, mother of Luay, explained that her child is sensitive to every sound, from shelling to water trucks, making changes in his environment deeply frightening.

Islam Barakat, director of the Al-Irada Autism Program, noted that explosions force children to cover their ears, scream, and run aimlessly, while the closure of rehabilitation centers has left them without therapy, causing regression in speech and communication skills.

Families carry heavy psychological and economic burdens, trying to meet basic needs while caring for their children amid scarce resources. For these children, war and the loss of a stable environment mean living in constant fear, with little hope for real protection or support.