My ASD Child

Over 25% of public schools report that bullying among students occurs on a daily basis. Also, one in five middle school students with ASD (high-functioning autism) report being bullied in the past 3 months. The good news is that, since bullying has made national headlines, schools and communities – and even celebrities – are taking a strong anti-bullying stance. Parents can do their part at home, too. Bullying Facts: Bullies - and victims of bullying - have difficulty adjusting to their environments, both socially and psychologically. Bullies are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol, and to be poorer students. Bullying occurs most frequently from sixth to eighth grade, with little variation between urban, suburban, town and rural areas. Females are more likely to be verbally or psychologically bullied. Males are more likely to be physically bullied. Males are more likely to be bullies - and victims of bullying - than females. Students who are both bullies - and re...

Many parents learn that their child with ASD level 1, or High-Functioning Autism (HFA), is being teased and/or bullied by one of the other students. In some cases, school officials don’t seem to address the problem adequately, thus the “special needs” child is left to fend for himself/herself. Here’s a recent email from a very concerned mother on the matter: “My 12-year-old son has been a target of bullying since the 4th grade. He is fully mainstreamed because he is academically "high functioning". I send him to school for the socialization. However, I am questioning that, because he is only learning that his peers are "not o.k.". He hates school, and is being treated for anxiety and depression. Bullying is constant and "below the radar", being mostly relational. I feel that I send him into a war zone each day. School officials try to address targeted incidents, but are mostly ineffective. Any suggestions on how I can help my son?” Unfortunately...

What do you know about the bullying of Aspergers (high functioning autistic) children in schools?  Here are the facts: 1. Although there is no consistent evidence that bullying overall is increasing, one area of growing concern is cyber-bullying, especially among older children. 2. Being bullied at school typically has negative effects on the physical and psychological well-being of those kids who are frequently and severely targeted. 3. Bullying can be categorized as physical, verbal and gestural. 4. Bullying has been reported as occurring in every school and kindergarten or day-care environment in which it has been investigated. 5. Aspergers kids typically report being bullied less often as they get older, although being victimized tends to increase when they enter secondary school. 6. Gender differences have been found indicating that Aspergers boys are bullied physically more often than Aspergers girls. Female bullies are generally more often involved ...

A sad fact: The majority of children with Aspergers will experience repeated bullying and/or victimization at school.   Aspergers students are easy targets for a variety of reasons: Due to having a low social IQ, they let things build up …then retaliate without an awareness of what the consequences might be They appear different than their “typical” peers They are not always aware of teasing or bullying behavior “Intimidation” is not in their vocabulary The need to dominate or control others is not part of their personality Aspergers (high-functioning autistic) children who are bullied are more likely to be depressed, anxious, and suicidal. They struggle in school (when they decide to show up at all). They're more likely to carry weapons, get in physical fights, and abuse drugs. But when it comes to the actual damage bullying does, the picture becomes more clouded. One  individual with Aspergers (now an adult) recounts here childhood experience with bul...