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  1. Sep 2018
  2. www.edweek.org www.edweek.org
    Autism Issues Complicate Anti-Bullying Task
    5
    1. dawnielle.andersen 18 Sep 2018
      "We have to start changing the climate of schools," Mr. Rose said, "and when we change the climate of schools, it takes time."

      Even though it may take a long time to change school climates and the ways we view those different than us, I absolutely think it's worth it. It's only natural to want a more immediate change, but I think it's going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of patient teachers, involved parents, and willing children to make the changes we need within our schools and society as a whole.I absolutely think it's possible that knowledge and compassion are the best ways to unite us all as people, no matter what our differences are.

    2. dawnielle.andersen 18 Sep 2018
      Mr. Rose, at the University of Missouri, said bullying is a complex series of behaviors, and that the ways to address it will also be complex. One important factor, he believes, is to teach bullies different ways to behave, rather than counting on swift punishment as the only way to respond. Schoolwide Approach "I think we're missing the boat when we're doing that," Mr. Rose said. Those who engage in bullying will "go through life, and until they learn a new skill that will serve the same or a similar function to the bullying, they will continue to do those behaviors."

      What a great insight! I agree that the only way to change the culture of bullying is through education by learning different skills and coping mechanisms. It's great to have programs implemented to prevent bullying, but if we don't change the way we're behaving and learning as children, it makes it hard to change permanently.

    3. dawnielle.andersen 18 Sep 2018
      The students with autism found to be most at risk of being bullied were those who had more classes in general education, some form of conversational ability, and interacted with friends at least once a week. That study concluded that school-based bullying interventions must target students' conversational ability and social skills and must also address the fact that students are often victimized when they're in general education settings. Schools should encourage "social integration into protective peer groups" and increase the empathy and social skills of the general student population, the researchers recommended.

      It's surprising to me that the students who are bullied the most are children with a slightly higher social ability, or an ability to hold conversations. I really liked that how it was mentioned that the focus should be on the social skills of the whole student population and not just those who may be dealing with a disability or difference. Empathy and understanding taught from a young age can really change a person's perspective!

    4. dawnielle.andersen 18 Sep 2018
      of more than 1,000 families of children with autism spectrum disorders, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, reported that 38 percent of the families had children who reported being bullied in the past month. Twenty-eight percent said they were bullied frequently. The study also found that about 9 percent of children with autism were perpetrators of bullying, with about 5 percent described as "frequent" perpetrators. Close to 70 percent of victims with autism who are bullied reported having experienced emotional trauma as a result of their treatment.

      I think every parent worries that their child will be bullied or disliked in school, but it's disturbing to me that even in the last decade, we're still seeing such a high number of children with autism being bullied. As a parent of children with special needs, it would be terrifying sending my child to school with these high rates of bullying. It's even worse that there's such a high number who have reported emotional trauma from their negative experiences.

    5. dawnielle.andersen 18 Sep 2018
      Autism spectrum disorder, characterized by social impairment and communication difficulties, leaves some youths less able to recognize teasing or bullying when it occurs, said Ellen F. Murray, a clinical manager at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Alexandria, Va.

      This particular issue has always been one of my greatest concerns when it comes to people with special needs being bullied. I remember seeing kids bully other kids, acting like they were their friends when in reality, they were using their trust to hurt them or embarrass them in some way. I think this issue is very important to recognize.

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    edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/05/07/30autism_ep.h33.html