Bullying and Autism

Throughout this blog, I've noticed a common theme and that theme is I've been talking about bullying with all those who might not have a disorder which makes them susceptible to bullying. What about someone who has autism? What are some information and facts and statistics about that.

A total of 63% of children, which translates to 1,167 children. It found that children within the ages of 6 to 15 have been bullied at some point in their lives. The Interactive Autism Network or IAN conducted a study and found that bullying occurred at every grade level, but it was most prevalent from the middle school years. The study mentions how this is not a surprise because bullying usually does take place during fifth through eighth grade. It also showed a large percentage of children who were bullied with Autism Spectrum Disorder had this happen when they attended public school (43%. With regular private schools, the percentages were about 28%.

I'm a person who has thought for a long time that I have autistic tendencies, but I have never doubted myself because I like to think that I have succeeded at a lot that I have done in my life. While I have been bullied a lot, which is why I decided to start this blog, I have never believed it was because I am autistic. I have never actually been tested for this and never actually believed that I have autism or Asperger's. Whatever the case, it's a sad fact knowing that so many people can take advantage of those who have autism or Asperger's. It isn't their fault that they are very susceptible and vulnerable to bullying and they should not have this happen to them. They are just trying to live their lives the best way that they can.

Bullycide

A term that I have never heard before but one that to me is very powerful when bullying arises and must be dealt with. That subject and term is "Bullycide." It literally means suicide caused from the results of bullying. Bullyingstatistics.org comments on how cyberbullying has taken the entire concept of physical bullying to a whole new level. The question that's before us what can be done to prevent bullycide from happening.

 

First, I would define what the problem and figure out everything that is going on. It's important for kids to be open and receptive to the help, even when they believe that all hope is lost.

 

The website bullyingstatistics.org suggests another way to prevent this from happening is to have the child journey every single situation that arises. The idea is the student or child will take this journal with all of the evidence to the principal, school counselor, or even a specific teacher. If that doesn't work, then the police is an option and the journal could be entered into evidence and a complaint could be filed against the school if that is the case.

 

It's heartbreaking to think that there are kids out there who find it necessary to end their lives based on bullying and it needs to stop. This trend needs to come to an end.

 

 

Are the Parents Innocent?

On Bullyingstatistics.org, one of the subjects is bullying by demographic. On that page, it lists categories of people who could be classified as bullies. I already identified one when I discussed teachers bullying their students, but another one caught my eye and I wanted to talk about it today. The subject is parents that bully their children.

 

The website classifies those parents as ones who are "overbearing, constantly belittling their children or seeking to be controlling, and enforcing rules with a heavy hand, may actually be crossing the line into bullying parent behavior." It also states that there are many parents who find disciplining their children to be a tough pill to swallow.

 

Now, we've all heard of using "tough love" and parents, especially utilize that term a lot when it comes to how they raise their children. My parents used that approach with me, but I was never belittled or abused mentally or physically by them. One interesting thing to note from the website is that if the child "learns how to treat people from the example of the parent that bullies them," then they are the ones who may become the bullies later on in their lifetime.

 

The best thing to do is to talk it out and make the parent understand that there is a problem when they belittle their kids and harass their kids. I can understand that there are flamboyant parents out there who have their own approach to handling their children, but there is a limit and one that I believe should not be met.

(abolishbullyingcampaign.org)

My own Video about Bullying

The next video I'd like to show is a video that I made during my senior year of high school. It's an informative video about bullying and about WeStopHate, which I reference in an earlier entry dealing with WeStopHate and an interview that I conducted with Emily-Anne Rigal. I was really proud of this video and promoted it non-stop when I made it back in 2012

The Laws of Bullying

Bullyingstatistics.org lists a number of different types of laws geared towards bullying. This blog entry deals with the types of laws and why the reasons that bullying laws are controversial.

The purpose of having laws on the books is to prevent bullying or address it as it happens. The website explains that they are sometimes referred to as "anti-bullying laws." One interestingthing to notice is that there are no real national laws on the book when it comes to bullying. Unfortunately, that's a tall order because verbal bullying could fall under the First Amendment and with the right to free speech.

Some of these laws criminalize bullying while others may include that as well as requiring reports of bullying from its witnesses. There are cases where being the witness to bullying may make that person just as guilty.

Bullyingstastics.org lists that there are 45 states that have adopted bullying laws. Pennsylvania is one of them. The site mentions how some people question the laws as being added to other laws that deal with harassment, safety and violence. The bottom line is that in some states, bullying is a federal offense and one needs to be careful how they approach his

The Teacher...Friend or Foe?

I've always interpreted teachers to be men and women who are there, not only to educate, but to inspire and be a light to their bright-eyed students. I can safely say that now that my years of education are coming to a close, all of my teachers that I have had have been amazing men and women (mostly women). Teachers are not supposed to be looked down upon as ones that cause bullying but ones that should nip it in the bud when it begin. However, my first post in this series from Bullying Statistics is about just that...teachers that are themselves the bullies.

I once filmed a video about an old schoolhouse that is now a museum. In the corner near a window sat a mannequin (whose name I believe was Timmy) and this mannequin was wearing a dunce cap. If the student misbehaved or caused trouble, or for any other reason, the teacher would make the student wear the dunce cap. That's just one way, but others include standing in the corner and having someone's hand whacked with a ruler. They can also abuse verbally in addition to physically. Bullying Statistics mentions that it may go unreported because the victim may not trust the system to support them, fearing retribution from the teacher but also from the students that have it in good with the teacher.

Is it just teachers that can cause this abuse. No! Coaches, custodial staff, and even the principal can also be ones causing trouble. With a coach I can understand it because they may be giving strong criticism in hopes of improving, but there definitely is a limit.

Bottom line, sometimes teachers and administrative staff may not be all that innocent when it comes to bullying. Yes, they may intervene when it comes to peer to peer bullying, but have we really thought about what happens when the teacher themselves is the one causing drama for the student? Something to think about...

 

(theregister.co.uk)

The Statistics Show. The Series.

There are many startling statistics that have been posted over the years of the damage that bullying can cause to a person's mental, emotional and physical health. In fact, there's even a website devoted to all of this. It's called bullyingstatistics.org and it's your go-to site for all facts and information about all things bullying. In essence, this website already beat me because it's a blog about bullying. While I don't mind a little friendly competition, let's discuss some of the statistics that are on this site.

 

First, they list bullying by demographic, including female bullies. This parallels what I had posted about the stereotypes of bullying and how the "classic type of bullying includes the mean boy on the playground."  

 

They also list types of bullying, facts, how to get help when you're the victim and some of the effects that bullying causes.

 

This is my introduction to a series of postings based on what I found on this site. I'd love for you guys to check it out! http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/school-bullying-statistics.html