Resilience in a Time of War: A One-year Follow-up Study of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children and their Families

Research on the psychological impact of armed conflict often neglects autistic children and their families, who may face unique challenges due to disrupted routines and services. Here we conducted a one-year longitudinal study assessing post-traumatic stress symptoms in autistic and non-autistic children and parental mental health across seven time points following the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel (N = 62 families). Results revealed a dramatic initial decline in symptom severity followed by relatively stable values over time; autistic school-age children and boys exhibited higher overall post-traumatic stress, while parents of autistic children showed steeper initial reductions in anxiety and stress. Remarkably, both autistic and non-autistic families showed rapid resolution of initial symptoms and largely parallel trajectories over time, suggesting substantial resilience across groups. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of symptom trajectories and the capacity of families, including those of autistic children, to adapt to mass trauma. Understanding these patterns can inform tailored support strategies for families affected by armed conflict.