Transcript BULLYING HOSTED BY THE BAYLOR AUTISM RESOURCE CENTER WHAT IS BULLYING? • Unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or.

BULLYING
HOSTED BY THE
BAYLOR AUTISM RESOURCE CENTER
WHAT IS BULLYING?
• Unwanted, aggressive behavior among school
aged children that involves a real or perceived
power imbalance
• The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be
repeated, over time
• Includes actions such as making threats, spreading
rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally,
and excluding someone from a group on purpose
• Children at risk of being bullied are perceived as
being different from their peers
• In 2011 the CDC reported that in the US, 20% of
students in grades 9-12 experience bullying
TYPES OF BULLYING
• Physical – causing harm to a person’s body or
possessions
• Verbal – negative words used to hurt someone
in the form of insults, slander, racial/sexist slurs,
name calling
• Social – spreading malicious rumors, pranks,
social alienation
• Psychological – intimidation, manipulations,
stalking
• Cyberbullying – use of technology (cell phones,
social networking, emails) to bully someone
BULLYING STATISTICS
• 88% of school-age children report that they have
observed significant incidents of bullying and
intimidation
• 76% reported that they have been victims
• 14% state that bullying plays a major negative role
in their lives
• Average bullying incident lasts just 30 seconds
• Tens of thousands of American students are truant
or avoid classes every day due to fear and anxiety
about bullying
AUTISM AND BULLYING
• Research indicates that poor peer relationships are
associated with being bullied
• Children with ASD are at increased risk for
victimization due to communication impairments as
assertiveness and healthy communication are
considered protective factors
• Preliminary research suggests that children with ASD
are more than 4 times more likely to be bullied
HOW SHOULD I ADDRESS IT?
• Learn about what’s been going on and show you
want to help
• Assure your child bullying is not his/her fault
• Ask your child what he/she thinks should be done
• Suggest walking away to avoid the bully, seeking
help from an adult, and identify safe havens
• Practice what your child could say to the bully
including how to be assertive
• Discuss strategies for staying safe, such as staying
near adults or groups of other children
• Seek help from your child’s teacher or counselor
A SCHOOL’S RESPONSIBILITY
• Contact your child’s teacher and school
administrators to ensure they are aware of the
situation
• Research indicates that teachers who talked about
bullying in class had fewer students involved in
bullying
• Inquire about the school policies regarding bullying
if you are unfamiliar with them
• Suggest an awareness campaign or prevention
program
COULD MY CHILD BE A BULLY?
• Bullies come in all shapes and sizes; often have low
self-esteem
• Collect all the facts before making assumptions
• Have a conversation (or several):
• Confirm the your child’s behavior is not resulting from a
disability
• Does your child feel insecure? Have a negative self-image
in regard to his/her body, athletic ability, and/or academic
skills? Wish he/she had more friends?
• Talk about role-reversal (empathy) – “How would it feel if
you were the one being bullied?”
• Ask your child to apologize to the bullied peer
• Discuss consequences should the bullying continue
• Provide positive feedback and support
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
• Texas has anti-bullying laws, but this does not
include cyberbullying
• Legislation was introduced in 2011 regarding this, but it has
not been signed into law
• Texas does not have a model policy (as in other
states) for schools to create anti-bullying policies
• Schools receiving federal funding are required by
law to address discrimination although bullying is
not specifically defined under this law
RESOURCES AND QUESTIONS
• How to Handle Bullying of Children with Special Needs
• http://www.disaboom.com/children-with-disabilities/how-tohandle-bullying-of-children-with-special-needs
• Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health
Needs
• http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/
• It’s So Much Work To Be Your Friend by Richard Lavoie
• Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson
REFERENCES
Cappadocia, M.C., Weiss, J.A., & Pepler, D. (2012). Bullying
experiences among children and youth with autism
spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental
Disorders, 42, 266-277.
Hirschstein, M.K., Van Schoiack, E.L., Frey, K.S., Snell, J.L., &
MacKenzie, E.P. (2007). Walking the talk in bullying
prevention: Teacher implementation variables related to
initial impact of the steps to respect program. School
Psychology Review, 36(1), 3.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. What is
bullying. Stop Bullying. Retrieved October 8, 2012 from
www.stopbullying.gov