Protecting Teens on the Spectrum from Bullying |
Posted: March 12, 2017 |
If you’re the parent of an autistic child, you’re probably not surprised by reports that kids and teens with a spectrum disorder are more likely to be bullied. Children on the spectrum have idiosyncratic behavior and language, which naturally tends to mark them for bullying, as highlighted by research published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine this month and reported in the Chicago Tribune and other papers. If you want to know about Best Portable Crib for your kids, then read more… The results, based on a 2001 survey of 920 parents, shows that 46 percent of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder are bullied – well above the estimated 11 percent of kids in the general population. And it’s not the only survey highlighting the problem. A new survey by the Interactive Autism Network found that nearly two-thirds of children on the autism spectrum have been bullied at some point. That survey looked at the results from the parents of more than 1,100 children with autism. These reports are raising awareness, and that’s a step in the right direction. But for every parent of an autistic child, the real question is: What can we do to stop it, or at least decrease it? Here are some steps that parents and/or schools can take: Use the power of the IEP. If your child is on the spectrum and has an individualized education program (also known as IEP), it can include measures to prevent bullying. For parents, this is the best tool you have at your disposal because you are part of the IEP development process and you must sign off on it before it can go into effect. Once in effect, teachers and staff are legally bound to follow it. Educate other students. The researchers of this month’s study wrote that classrooms should increase social integration of adolescents with ASD, and help other students understand, interact and empathize with kids with autism or other disorders. There’s a strategy that already exists called “circles of support,” which works toward this goal. The idea is that a small group of students are introduced to a child with a disorder, educated about the student’s condition and encouraged to provide help and support to that student. Because they have been taught about the disorder in a more sensitive away, they are more likely to empathize, rather than engage in bullying. Try pointing out ideas such as this one to your school. Write a letter to your child’s teacher, counselor or principal. If this does not get the results you need, you can go to the director of special education, the superintendent or even the school board. Other things to do.
Bullying is a topic that puts fear into the heart of every parent who has a child with autism. But you don’t have to stand by and accept it. To read more about these topics, visit Autism Speaks and take a look at The Bully Project.
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