How Israel’s war on Lebanon has cost young people with autism and ADHD

Beirut, Lebanon – After her husband died from COVID-19 in 2020, Lena Kouyoumjian moved back to her parents’ house in Mazraat Yachouh, a village 20 minutes’ drive from Beirut. For Lena, energetic and outgoing, the move was difficult, but she accepted that she needed help to care for her 20-year-old daughter, Vana, who is autistic and non-verbal.Lena first noticed her daughter’s symptoms when she was two years old. Vana is still unable to communicate verbally how she feels, but her mother does her best to understand her.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Lebanon’s children face physical, psychological trauma amid Israel’s warlist 2 of 3Psychological toll mounts as Lebanese villages erased by Israel’s warlist 3 of 3‘An act of resistance’: Raja Shehadeh’s diaries find a new home in Scotlandend of listLike many autistic individuals – and neurodivergent people in general – Vana needs a supportive and stable environment, alongside a structured routine, to feel well.Lebanon has been engulfed in war since October 2023, with bombings across the country and an economic crisis continuing to impact all Lebanese, particularly neurodivergent people.When Israel escalated its attacks on ...