Bullying

Bullying is repeated, forceful behavior meant to cause physical or emotional harm as a way to scare or control others. The behavior can include teasing, insulting, shoving, hitting, or gossiping, and it is often an act of power. This page will talk about bullying and children with disabilities, how children are affected by bullying, signs a child is being bullied, important things to know when watching for bullying, and where to get help.

Bullying can happen to any person in any place. While no one cause puts a child at risk of being bullied, children with disabilities are both at risk and highly affected by being bullied. One study shows 60% of students with disabilities tell someone they are being bullied often, compared with 25% of all students.

Children who are bullied may feel upset, afraid, ashamed, embarrassed, and nervous about going to school. Longer-term effects include lower scholastic success and aspirations, greater anxiety, loss of self-esteem, depression and post-traumatic stress, physical health problems, self-harm and suicidal thinking, suicide, feelings of loneliness, more absences from school, and other harmful impacts to a child’s health and education. [Young: 2010]

Children who bully other children also have lasting problems. Sometimes children who have certain emotional or behavioral disorders, or limited social skills act, in a way that is mistaken for bullying. Whether the behavior is meant, or due to disability, it still needs to be addressed.

Bullying usually keeps happening unless there is intervention, but knowing when it happens can be difficult. Children will not always tell you they are being bullied. Possible signs are:

• Changes in behavior
• Unusual episodes of acting out
• Sleep problems
• Bed-wetting
• Crying or sadness for no known reason
• Unusual “clinginess” to family and caregivers
• Fear of leaving home, going to school, or usual daily activities

If you notice any of these with your child or other things that are not normal to his or her behavior, ask your child lots of questions.

Children may not necessarily know they are being bullied. Sometimes children may believe they have made new friends when in fact those friends are making fun of them. Children with special needs may be more trusting and at risk in social situations. Ask your children about their day, who they were with or talked to, and who their friends are. Listen carefully for anything that causes you concern.

If your child has let you know that he or she is being bullied, call the school to talk about this with the teacher and principal. If your child has an IEP, involve the team right away create strategies for your child to cope and let adults know if they are being bullied.

Children with disabilities are protected under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Schools are required by law to make sure they are addressing their needs and resolving harassment or bullying issues.

In all cases, bullying is a public health challenge. Awareness and focus is needed with intervention and prevention of bullying of students with disabilities.