Beirut, Lebanon – Israel’s war on Lebanon has intensified daily pressures for autistic and ADHD youths, families say, as bombardment, displacement, and a prolonged economic crisis erode the routines and specialist support many rely on.
After her husband died of COVID-19 in 2020, Lena Kouyoumjian returned to her parents’ home in Mazraat Yachouh, about 20 minutes from Beirut. The move was difficult for the outgoing mother, but she needed help caring for her 20-year-old daughter, Vana, who is autistic and non-verbal. Lena first noticed signs when Vana was two. Although Vana cannot express how she feels, her mother works to read her cues.
Like many autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people, Vana depends on a predictable routine and a supportive setting. As cross-border hostilities have escalated since October 2023, the combination of air raids, displacement, and deepening hardship has been especially destabilising for people who need consistent structure.
When attacks in southern Lebanon intensified in March, Lena, who trains children with disabilities, anticipated a toll on her daughter. She said sudden schedule changes, loud sounds, fear, and uncertainty heighten anxiety and a sense of insecurity. Since the situation worsened, she has seen Vana become more anxious and more sensitive to change.
Challenging stigma amid Israel’s war on Lebanon
Autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder present differently across individuals, often involving sensory sensitivities and emotional dysregulation. The two conditions can also co-occur, known as AuDHD, with traits from both. In Lebanon, as elsewhere, people with these neurodevelopmental conditions face social stigma and misunderstanding.
The upheaval of war and displacement has strained mental health widely. Advocates and families say neurodivergent people are at greater risk because they rely on steady routines and tailored support that are now harder to maintain.
Vana has attended classes for six years at the Autism Awareness Association (AAA), a nonprofit in Antelias that serves as an alternative school for autistic youths. But rising costs tied to the crisis have interrupted her attendance. Lena said even transport to the center has at times become impossible.
Ghada Hayek Makhoul, who co-founded AAA in 2015 with other parents, said the group has worked to expand public understanding of autism, including the breadth of the spectrum from mild to severe.
Sensory overload and Israel’s war on Lebanon
Makhoul’s 27-year-old son, Anthony, is autistic, non-verbal, and relies on support workers. She said his distress is evident when sensory discomfort mounts, such as placing his hands over his ears. During the conflict, residents have endured the explosions of bombs and the sonic booms of aircraft. She said the constant drones, blasts, and vibrations have taken a toll, prompting Anthony to switch off the television when news triggers him. She added that he now avoids activities he once enjoyed, like swimming outdoors, though she is unsure whether it is the environment or the sounds that deter him.
Mental health support becomes a luxury
According to organizers and practitioners, the war has directly strained AAA and other services that provide neurodivergent or psychological support. The economic crisis, with inflation projected to reach about 17 percent this year, has also fueled an exodus of trained professionals.
AAA serves as a vital lifeline for families, but full-time attendance can cost about 700 dollars per month. With an estimated 80 percent of the population in poverty, few can afford long-term care. Makhoul said the organization needs more trained staff and better pay to retain workers, but raising salaries would further burden families already under pressure.
The gap extends to mental health care. While nongovernmental groups offer some free therapy, private sessions can exceed 100 dollars for 50 minutes. Public health researchers note that care for autism and ADHD largely relies on out-of-pocket spending. A National Disability Allowance launched in 2023 with support from international partners provides 40 dollars per month, which families say covers little. People with autism can obtain a personal disability card from the Ministry of Social Affairs, but those with ADHD are not eligible.
Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme, established by the Ministry of Public Health in 2014, is working to reduce disparities in access. Its director, Dr Rabih El Chammay, said a national mental health strategy for children and adolescents is being finalized, informed by studies on autism and ADHD and by consultations with family organizations. He said war complicates the effort by raising needs while disrupting services.
Developmental regression threatens progress
Displaced families have been among the hardest hit, but the disruption of schooling and daily life has affected people across the country. Adham Faraj, a 23-year-old psychology student at the Lebanese American University in Beirut who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2024, said the shift to online classes made it harder to engage and encouraged isolation. He also worried about the intensity of strikes and the rising cost of medication, noting that even lower-cost alternatives can be out of reach for many.
Clinicians report that skills painstakingly built before the conflict are slipping. Beirut-based psychologist and psychotherapist Rim Ajjour, who works with autistic youths, said reduced resources and shifting priorities have limited access to therapy. Some clinics have tried to hold fees steady despite rising expenses to keep care within reach.
With Israeli attacks continuing in southern Lebanon, despite a US-brokered ceasefire in June, practitioners fear a relapse into full-scale conflict would further disrupt services and progress. Ajjour said many in the field worry about how they could withstand another escalation.