Summary: For young survivors of the October 7, 2023 attacks, the consequences of war extend beyond memory and emotion into the nervous system. A new study shows that almost half of the children evaluated now experience atypical sensory processing, which makes everyday sights and sounds feel threatening and contributes to persistent anxiety and withdrawal.
Ten months after displacement, many of these children no longer experience the world as neutral. Routine noises and sensations—a distant lawnmower, a sudden touch, or background bustle—can register in their bodies as imminent danger, disrupting sleep, learning, and social interaction.
Key Facts
- Sensory siege: 48% of the 37 children studied in communities near the Gaza border showed atypical sensory processing, alternating between heightened sensitivity and active avoidance.
- Neural high alert: Trauma appears to reconfigure the nervous system so it remains on constant vigilance, reducing the brain’s ability to ignore benign background stimuli.
- Emotional connection: Children with the most atypical sensory patterns also showed the highest levels of anxiety, fearfulness, and acting-out behavior.
- Developmental impact: Persistent sensory overwhelm undermines participation in school and play during a critical period of brain development.
- Integrated care needed: The researchers recommend including occupational therapists in trauma response teams to deliver targeted, practical interventions—what they describe as sensory-focused “first aid.”
Source: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Overview
A study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy examines how trauma from the October 7, 2023 attacks has reshaped the sensory world of very young children. Led by Lihi Liberman, with guidance from Prof. Yafit Gilboa at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s School of Occupational Therapy and collaboration with Efrat Harel of Reichman University, the research focuses on children from the Gaza envelope who were directly exposed to violence and later displaced.
The team assessed 37 children aged 2 to 7 who lived within the Gaza envelope—populated areas of Israel’s Southern District close to the Gaza border. Despite physical safety in new locations, nearly half displayed sensory processing patterns rated as “more” or “much more” than typical peers. Sensory sensitivity and sensory avoidance were the most common profiles observed.
In practical terms, ordinary environmental input that adults perceive as harmless can trigger intense physiological and emotional responses in these children. Background noises, unexpected touches, or visual clutter can provoke anxiety, withdrawal, and disruptive behaviors. The study found significant correlations between atypical sensory responses and higher scores on measures of emotional distress, including anxiety, fearfulness, and acting out.
These sensory changes do not only cause momentary distress; they interfere with the child’s ability to engage in learning and social activities at a time when such engagement is essential for healthy development. The researchers emphasize that sustained sensory overload can contribute to delayed social, emotional, and cognitive progress if not addressed.
To respond effectively, the authors recommend integrating occupational therapists into post-trauma care teams. Unlike therapies that focus primarily on memories or thoughts, occupational therapy can address the embodied, sensory aspects of trauma. Interventions include individualized “sensory diets,” environmental adjustments (for example, quiet spaces and noise-reduction tools), and activities designed to recalibrate the nervous system so children can regain a sense of safety in their bodies.
Key Questions Answered:
A: Following repeated exposure to life-threatening events and air-raid alerts, the brain’s threat-detection system becomes oversensitive. Sounds that differ from a child’s expectation—regardless of their real danger—can be interpreted by the nervous system as signals of attack, producing fear and physiological arousal.
A: The study shows that, without targeted support, sensitivity can persist. Ten months after the events, many children still showed atypical sensory processing. Therapeutic intervention helps retrain the nervous system and reduce chronic hyper-vigilance.
A: Occupational therapists focus on the physical, sensory experience and daily activities. They design sensory-based interventions—such as activity plans, adjustments to the child’s environment, or sensory tools (e.g., noise-reduction measures, calming tactile supports)—to help the child regulate physiological responses and engage more fully in everyday life.
Editorial Notes:
- This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
- Journal paper reviewed in full.
- Additional context added by staff.
About this research
Author: Yarden Mills
Source: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Contact: Yarden Mills – Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Closed access. Sensory Processing Disorders and Emotional Distress Among Young Children Exposed to Traumatic Events by Lihi Liberman, Efrat Harel, and Yafit Gilboa. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2026.051402
Abstract
Title: Sensory Processing Disorders and Emotional Distress Among Young Children Exposed to Traumatic Events
Importance:
Previous research has documented sensory processing difficulties mainly in school-age children after trauma or maltreatment. Studying very young children exposed to collective terror helps clarify early sensory and emotional consequences during a key developmental window.
Objective:
To examine the relationship between sensory processing profiles and emotional distress among young children exposed to traumatic events following a terror attack.
Design and Setting:
Cross-sectional study using purposive sampling, conducted in community settings among families displaced after exposure to violence.
Participants:
Thirty-seven children, ages 2 to 7, living in the Gaza envelope—areas within roughly 4.3 miles of the Gaza Strip border—who were directly affected by the October 7, 2023 events.
Measures:
Data included demographic information and standardized measures: the Pediatric Emotional Distress Scale (PEDS) and the Sensory Profile 2.
Results:
Participants scored significantly above clinical cutoffs on the PEDS total score and on the Anxious/Withdrawn, Fearful, and Acting Out subscales. Nearly half the children displayed sensory patterns rated as “more” or “much more” atypical than peers, with sensory sensitivity and avoidance most common. Most sensory processing patterns correlated significantly with measures of emotional distress.
Conclusions and Relevance:
Sensory processing difficulties were common and closely linked to emotional distress in this sample of young children exposed to traumatic events. Occupational therapy has a role in addressing environmental and regulatory needs to support recovery and participation in daily activities.
Plain-Language Summary:
This study explored how young children (ages 2–7) were affected by the traumatic events after October 7, 2023. It found high rates of emotional distress—such as anxiety, fear, and acting out—and linked these reactions to differences in how children sense and respond to everyday sights, sounds, and touches. Many children were overly sensitive or actively avoided sensory input, and these patterns were associated with higher distress. Early, sensory-focused support from occupational therapists can help children regain regulation and participate more fully in play, learning, and social life.