A Safe Haven Amid Chaos
Early on October 7, 2023, with sirens blaring and rockets exploding, the world of 10½-year-old Paz from Moshav Tzohar in southern Israel was turned on its head. For a child on the autism spectrum, the chaos was overwhelming.
"She was shaking with fear," recalls her mother, Dana Ben Ami. "As soon as it was safe, I put the children in the car and drove south, not knowing where we'd end up."
The family ended up in Eilat, a bustling resort town transformed into a refuge. Dana found a place to stay, but knew this would not be enough for Paz. To regain her security, the child needed a structured environment. "She'd been ripped from her routine and couldn't cope," says Dana. "She kept asking when we were going back, fretted about her belongings and couldn't comprehend why there was no school, no friends."
It was at Eilat's Ogen School that Dana met representatives from OTI - the Israeli Autism Association, who were offering specialized support for children with autism. What Dana did not yet know was that the bond Paz would form with her therapist would prove vital when the youngster had to deal with devastating loss — the murder of two close friends, slaughtered on Kibbutz Be'eri and Nir Oz in the attack.
"Paz saw a video that showed one of these friends moments before she was murdered," says Dana. "She didn't share it with me because she didn't want to upset me. It was the OTI therapists that helped her begin processing her grief."
Rapid Therapeutic Response to Trauma
From the war's outset, OTI acted swiftly to respond to uprooted children on the autism spectrum. Within days, it launched a comprehensive emergency support system, scaling up its existing services to reach hundreds of affected children and their families.
"We had to act fast, because children on the autism spectrum struggle with uncertainty and regulating their physiological and emotional responses," explains Dr. Vered Reiter, OTI's senior director of Performance and Operations. "The first step was identifying the needs of children already in OTI's care and of those we'd never worked with, and then building a personalized response for every youngster."
How was the Emergency System Built So Quickly?
"We worked along three parallel paths," she explains. "One was mapping the reactions and needs of the children and their families to prioritize those in urgent need of assistance. A second path was recruiting therapists from across Israel, and many who volunteered. The third path was working with local authorities to find suitable premises to set up three temporary communication kindergartens, integrating specialized teams into schools and opening treatment centers."
OTI was able to launch these emergency initiatives rapidly and effectively because of its well-established infrastructure and ongoing collaboration with health funds, government ministries and local authorities. In Eilat alone, it provided over 2,170 therapy sessions to approximately 130 children, many therapists undergoing special training to address both autism-related challenges and war-induced psychological distress.
"We made sure no child was left behind," says Dr. Reiter. "We went to those who couldn't get to treatment — to their hotel rooms, the pool, the beach, wherever we could reach them. It was a round-the-clock job because every day without treatment risked setbacks. Even after families returned home, we continued to accompany those who needed us, helping maintain the rebuilt routine."
Ariana Dhokerker-Becker, who quickly moved her three children on the autism spectrum from their home on Kibbutz Dorot in the Negev, describes the difficult adjustment they experienced.
"Within hours, OTI's therapeutic coordinator and my son's kindergarten teacher contacted us," she remembers. "Their immediate understanding of our situation provided a crucial sense of stability during the chaos."
"For children who rely heavily on predictable routines, this sudden upheaval was particularly difficult. My daughter barely left her bed for weeks, while my sons experienced regression and emotional outbursts," she explains. "OTI responded quickly with practical solutions—structured Zoom activities, specially adapted games, sessions with familiar therapists, and individualized support for each child. Though challenges remained, these interventions made our situation manageable. What truly made a difference was that beyond supporting my children, they recognized my needs as an individual, not just as a mother."
Developing Future Emergency Care Treatment Models
Delivering autism support during crisis situations required addressing two simultaneous challenges: helping children process the trauma of conflict while supporting them through major disruptions to their essential routines.
"For children on the autism spectrum, predictable routines serve as a critical foundation for stability," explains Dr. Reiter. "When suddenly removed from familiar environments—their homes, schools, and comfort objects—they experience not just change but profound disorientation that can trigger significant emotional and behavioral responses."
Key Challenges in Crisis Situations
"We observed significant responses among evacuated children with autism—both intrusive symptoms and avoidance behaviors," she continues. "Their neurological profile makes processing even small changes challenging, let alone the extreme disruption of war. When their daily structure suddenly collapses, it typically triggers intensified anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, and increased communication difficulties."
How did OTI Maintain Stability for Displaced Children?
"We established temporary structured therapeutic centers in Israel's north and south to provide a sense of normalcy," says Dr. Reiter. "We brought familiar teams of therapists and caregivers into these temporary centers to help reduce anxiety. And we emphasized daily routines that closely resembled pre-war schedules."
The Importance of Therapeutic Continuity
Therapeutic continuity is critical, says Dr. Reiter. "Children with autism need stability. Each therapist committed to working with the same child at least twice a week throughout the evacuation period to prevent disconnection."
Beyond supporting children, OTI also focused on parents dealing with trauma, uncertainty, and daily stress. For many, this emotional and practical support proved essential to their ability to cope and function.
The organization provided parents with emotional guidance, housing options for evacuees, childcare services, and personal psychological support to help them navigate their new circumstances. "During this chaotic time," says Ariana, "knowing someone was considering my needs too gave me the breathing room I needed. I simply couldn't have managed without this support."
Lessons for the Future
Lessons from the Eilat project now form the basis for developing treatment models for future emergencies. Experience gained during the conflict demonstrated that quick, adaptable responses can preserve stability even during extremely uncertain times.
"Through the dedication of our staff and community," Dr. Reiter concludes, "we were able to offer hope to children and their parents, even in the darkest times."
In collaboration with OTI
