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How to deal with bullying of the Aspergers child...

Children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism often exhibit behaviors that are peculiar enough to hold the attention of children who do not have the best interests of the child in mind. Besides simple teasing, bullying of Aspergers children can happen in situations in which they have little ability to protect themselves. Fortunately, if such bullying happens in school, it can be managed more easily (provided your child divulges that it is going on).

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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

As an adult on the spectrum, I will say the only thing that ever worked was fighting back, physically if necessary. Teachers normally did not intervene when they witnessed bullying. Parent and teacher intervention was not effective, and the teachers didn't really care. Teachers generally did not take insults, kicking, or another stuedent threatening to stab me with a pocket knife seriously. Their responses: "Just ignore them" and (if I was merely being called a "psycho retard nerd" or being told to go to a mental institution) talking about sticks and stones. When I was 9, I did stupid things because I thought my classmates had a right to order me to. When I was 11, bullies made my life a living hell. By the time I was 13, I knew to hit back and the turds found other kids to pick on. I later unlearned this behavior in high school(no longer necessary), and about half the kids who picked on me went on to(found this out by searching public records online) have criminal records. My boyfriend(also on the spectrum) had a similar experience, except that he started fighting back a couple years later and his school life became tolerable a couple years later. If the school is truly interested in intervening that's one thing, but more often they gave it lip service and then turn a blind eye. And the kids know it.

Anonymous said...

Do not let the bully get away with it, even though there are only a few weeks of school left. That's a few more weeks your child is bullied and a few more weeks the bully gets away with it. And there is always next year, where the bullier may do it again and possibly do it to other children. At my sons school, they do not tolerate bullying and are trying to put a stop to it. Also, the times my son has fought back, he was in just as much trouble as the bullyier for hitting another student. I don't agree with this policy, but it's the school's policy just the same. We have taught my son to tell a trusted adult at school or us. And sometimes "mama bear came out to play" to get something done, but we did get good results.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it is too late at all to address it, bullying is wrong I hope your son is ok

Anonymous said...

It's never "too late" to defend your child. Just use appropriate words when addressing the issue with teachers and principals. Be sure they are aware of how long this has been happening, and they should have noticed this behavior LONG before it got to this point! Who will speak up for our Aspies if our childrens teachers don't? They are the ones that spend 80% of the day with our children! My best to you!

Anonymous said...

one of many reasons I keep my son in karate...not to mention the focus, respect, and other skills that he learns there

Anonymous said...

I agree- it is never to late. You are your son's only advocate, and unfortunately if it is not taken care of now, it may go on to next year. Especially if your son is in mainstream- and the teachers do not know how or are properly educated in dealing with these kinds of situations. However if it is in his Special Needs class- then this is a serious and dangerous issue. Poor guy. Definitely also address this in your IEP, and get the behavioral counselor involved, Vice Principal, etc.. it is NOT Ok to bully anyone- but you can also get him his social skills to TELL you this sooner- Can anyone tell I have been through this? =) My best to you and your son!!

Anonymous said...

Bullying in kindergarten?! Unacceptable!! you and your child are in my thoughts... I deal with bullying of my 5th grader, he always says he won't tell an adult b/c he doesn't want to get anyone into trouble...

Anonymous said...

Our son has had a problem with one of his classmates really since first grade (he's now in third). He's really had a hard time at school over it because he's such a big kid and the kid bullying him is nearly half his size. It's taken all year battling the school over it, but they've told us they won't put them in the same class together next year. Hopefully they follow through on that. However I don't know why the concept that a smaller kid can bully a bigger kid is so hard to get. Especially when they know our son has aspergers.

Anonymous said...

it's never to late to address it. bullying is wrong and schools are going to start being held accountable for it more and more across the nation so bring it to their attention. If they don't stop it from happening "because the year is almost over" then they are not doing their job to protect your child.
17 hours ago · Like

Anonymous said...

It is never too late to address bullying.THe other child should be told about his behaviour & why it isn't appropriate. I would meet with teachers/staff to explain why my son has trouble differentiating between friends & bullies/identifying bully behaviour, and how they can help him to manage and respond appropriately. I would look into getting a one-on-one aid or therapist to attend school with him and help him navigate the relationships.

Unknown said...

I came up here looking for answers to helping my 6 year old kindergartener with Aspergers.He is so tender hearted and wants people to like him and understand him. What breaks my heart, is the fact that the little boy that he calls his best friend is the one who is bullying him. For some reason, he looks up to this little boy. He comes home atleast twice a week saying that K called him an idiot, said he hates me, and is not my friend.....he also karate chops him in the head. It makes me so angry, I want to tell him to hit him back, but it goes against the morals I have taught him. I tell him how important he is and how he does not deserve to be treated this way and that when K acts this way tell the teacher and stay away from him. What is worse is that he blames himself for k's treatment of him because he knows he is different. I pray that he will learn what I am teaching him about loving himself and not taking on the responsibility for others negative and abusive behavior towards him. He is socially awkard and random and sometimes he has a hard time respecting personal space, but he just wants to be accepted and loved.

mrpinbert said...

I am an adult with Aspergers and I just want to weight in my opinion for you to consider.

Obviously I am just a person on the internet, and each person with Aspergers is different. So take it with a grain of salt, I am only talking from personal experience.

You totally SHOULD teach your kid to fight and stand up for himself.

"I want to tell him to hit him back, but it goes against the morals I have taught him"
I hate to tell you this, and this is just my opinion of course, but you're basically teaching him that he should be treated like a floormat.

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

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