Feature: Children with autism in Gaza face mounting challenges amid war
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Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia
GAZA, April (Xinhua) -- Sitting on the floor of her damaged home in Gaza City, Lian Abu Qousa sketches a small house on the beach, surrounded by trees and birds, filling it with shades of blue, green and yellow.
"This is how life is still etched in her mind," said Hammad Abu Qousa, her father.
"Lian loves to draw. She often draws houses, gardens, the sea, and birds, but sometimes she also draws missiles, planes, and shells, as if the war has seeped into her drawings," he added.
Sixteen-year-old Lian was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by varying degrees of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
"We noticed she was different from other children when she was three. She was shy, withdrawn, and did not interact like her peers," her father recalled.
However, he said, "We discovered her talent for drawing, and we encouraged her to express her feelings through art whenever possible, which helped her a lot."
Structured routines and specialized therapy are crucial for children with ASD. Lian's family did its utmost to support her development through basic rehabilitation programs before the latest chapter of the Israeli-Hamas conflict erupted on Oct. 7, 2023. After the conflict, however, maintaining the routines became nearly impossible.
"At the beginning of the war, she would scream with every explosion and cry hysterically. Then she would sit in a corner, hugging her knees, trembling with fear," her father said. "We tried to protect her, but the attacks continued."
Yet, amid the traumatic experiences, some children with ASD display remarkable skills that stand out even during the conflict. Some, like Lian, excel in drawing, while others demonstrate strong memory skills or advanced learning capabilities.
Yahya Shamali, a 13-year-old boy from Gaza City with ASD, is recognized for his exceptional memory and aptitude in mathematics.
"He can memorize information quickly and is interested in studying and solving complex problems. We worked to develop his skills," his mother told Xinhua.
Shamali had received behavioral and medical treatments in Gaza and traveled to Egypt to further improve his condition. However, his treatment stopped when he returned to Gaza shortly before the conflict.
"Children with autism spectrum need consistent routines and a stable environment, but displacement and daily pressures made this extremely difficult," his mother said.
In fact, the conflict has intensified challenges for children with ASD and increased pressures on their families, according to Reem Jaarour, head of autism programs at the Dolphin Association for Education and Community Development in Gaza.
"The challenges for children with autism existed before the war due to limited specialized staff and rehabilitation programs. The war led to the closure of many centers, depriving children of essential support," she said.
Jaarour added that families are now largely managing their children's conditions without professional assistance. "Children with autism depend on stability and routine. The war, displacement, and loss of services have made their lives much more difficult."
No accurate statistics exist on the number of children with ASD in Gaza, but estimates suggest the figure exceeds several hundred. Many of them rely on small rehabilitation centers supported by local NGOs and international organizations, which have struggled to maintain services due to damage, fuel shortages and limited funding.
Every year on April 2, the world observes World Autism Awareness Day. In Gaza, however, the occasion often underscores both the needs of children with ASD and the challenges their families face under conflict conditions.
"It is a daily struggle, but any progress my son makes gives me hope that he will be an important person in the future," Shamali's mother said.
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