Charlotte Thompson

English IV
Mrs. DeBock
Anti-Bullying
Bullying is a major thing all around the world. The most bullying is done to kid that are
special needs. Throughout researching the subject of bullying, it is clear that kids with Autism
are bullied the most and the results are shocking. Most Autistic kids dont even realize that they
are getting bullied (Cappadocia 1). Victims of bullying are mostly younger children who have a
communication problem, internalizing health problems, and mental illnesses in their family
(Cappadocia 1). They are also bullied for not having many friends. Preventing Autistic children
from being bullied can be helped by talking to the victims and suspects and by schools showing
anti-bullying videos at the school (Samuels 1).
Positive Interactions between educators and kids with disabilities can help lower the
complications of bullying in schools. According to a police officer a 16 year old boy was video
taped getting bullied he was getting kicked pulled by his hair and the bullies forced the autistic
kid on a icy river and he fell through several times (Samuels 2). He still wanted to continue
being friends with the kid that bullied him which is a perfect example of autistic kids not
knowing they were getting bullied. The teenagers involved got in some serious trouble and one
teenager was sentenced to six years in prison. Another teenager was charged as an adult
(Samuels 2). About one half of middle and high school students admit to an adult they are being
bullied but sometimes the adult chooses to do nothing to help the students (Samuels 2). Students
may not feel comfortable telling teachers or other adults about personal bullying situations
because they feel like it will make everything worse (Samuels 3). Chad Rose, an assistant

professor of Special Education, at the University of Missouri, believes in teaching bullies

different ways to behave, rather than counting on swift punishment as the way to respond
(Samuels 1). Another positive bullying prevention is a program called the Parent Advocacy
Coalition for Education Rights Center (PACER) (Samuels 4).
Bullying has become a major public health problem in the United States (Zablotsky 1).
The research shows that about 30 percent of children who go to school have been involved with
bullying on a daily basis (Zablotsky 1). Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a
higher chance of being bullied than a child who does not have a disorder (Zablotsky 1). Children
are also bullied for not having many friends they are scared and shy to talk or play with other
children. Most high school and middle school students that are bullied, reach out to their friends
to for support (Zablotsky 2). Elementary school students will reach out to parents or teachers
instead of friends. A Schools climate is important it comes in varieties and benefits children
including positive academic and social outcome (Zablotsky 3). Parents who have children with
special needs or ASD have parents who are more involved in the childs learning than parents
who have children without special needs (Zablotsky 4). Since 2007, when the Interactive Autism
Network (IAN) was launched, it quickly became the biggest online program to help children
with autism be successful in school. The were 14,000 children who joined with ASD and around
24,000 family members who joined the program (Zablotsky 4). Through the program, children
with a disabilities must be no older than 18 years of age. According to a demographic sample, in
October and November of 2011, there were 1,221 children between the ages of 6 and 16 years
old who became apart of the ASD program (Zablotsky 5). Parents of kids with ASD need to
consider how issues at school could affect the emotional and physical well-being of children with
ASD. Parents may have a hard time finding schools to accommodate children with social and

academic needs (Zablotsky 10). All parents try to find schools where children are kept safe and
are in a positive academic learning environment. Having a safe environment in a school falls
heavily on teachers and staff too (Zablotsky 10). Parents who choose to be involved in
community schools help improve the school experience for children with ASD (Zablotsky 10).
Bullying experiences among children with ASD is much higher than the bullying of a typical
teenager (Cappadocia 8). The importance of understanding the bullying experience of children
with ASD is unthinkable. It was reported that 85% of children with ASD mostly boys and only
about 15% of them are girls (Cappadocia 8). Promoting a healthy relationship among adults and
children is essential when it comes to bullying. Schools who choose to allow students to learn
about bullying tend to encourage others to stand up for themselves instead of making them feel
like nothing matters in life (Cappadocia 8).
Preventing Autistic children from being bullied can be helped by talking to the victims
and suspects and by schools showing anti-bullying videos at the school (Samuels 1). Many
schools who choose to look the other way when it comes to bullying should think more about
how the bullied child can succeed in life.

Work Cited

Cappadocia, M. Weiss. Bullying Experiences Among Children And Youth With Autism
Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 42.2 (2012) 266-277.
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
Samuels, Christina A. Autism Issues Complicate Anti-Bullying Task; Positive
interactions between those with disabilities, other peers seen as crucial. Education Week 2014:
Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
Zablotsky, Benjamin. Involvement In Bullying Among Children With Autism Spectrum
Disorders: Parents Perspectives On The Influence Of School Factors. Behavioral Disorders
37.3 (2012): 179-191. Web. 23 Feb. 2015