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. Like 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 southern Lebanon in March, as a trainer for children with disabilities, Lena understood that this could impact her autistic daughter. Since the situation became more difficult, she has become more anxious and sensitive to the changes happening around her.” The symptoms of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) vary depending on the person and condition, but they frequently include sensory issues and emotional dysregulation. ADHD and autism often occur together, combining to make AuDHD, where traits from both conditions can be seen.
People with these neurodevelopmental conditions are often stigmatised by societies that do not fully understand them, including in Lebanon. While the pressures caused by Israel’s war on Lebanon and mass displacement have led to psychological issues for many, neurodivergent people are more vulnerable due to their need for consistent support and routine. A challenge I often face is deciding the amount of time and energy I should allocate to my child,” said Lena.
Lebanon’s Autism Awareness Association (AAA) has provided support for both mother and child. Vana has attended classes at AAA, a nonprofit based in Antelias, outside Beirut, for the past six years, which serves as an alternative school for young autistic people. But rising costs in Lebanon during the war have prevented Vana from attending classes regularly.
At times, it became impossible for her to go, so she had to stay home,” Lena said. Ghada Hayek Makhoul, who co-founded AAA with other parents of autistic children in 2015, said the group has made constant efforts to increase awareness about the condition in Lebanon. They don’t know the spectrum; how it can vary from mild to moderate to severe,” Ghada told Al Jazeera.
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