Bullying and Asperger’s Syndrome

Robin Lurie-MeyerkopfAssociate Director AANE617-393-3824 x 316certification & training in autism spectrum disorders

(c)copyright 2007

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Why do kids bully?

There are all kinds of reasons why young people bully others, either occasionally or often. Do any of these sound familiar to you?

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Because I see others doing it Because it's what you do if you want to

hang out with the right crowd Because it makes me feel, stronger,

smarter, or better than the person I'm bullying

Because it's one of the best ways to keep others from bullying me

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Effects of Bullying!

Have you ever heard an adult - or anyone else - say that bullying is “just a fact of life” or “no big deal”, or “boys will be boys”? Many people feel this way. Too often, people just don't take bullying seriously - until something terrible happens.

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It happens a lot more than some people think

It can mess up a kid's future.

It scares some people so much that they skip school.

It can lead to huge problems later in life

What does bullying look like?

Bullying is when another person is harmed either physically or emotionally. Bullying is when someone is hurt and has difficulty defending themselves. It may look like:

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Getting shoved, pushed, or kicked Spreading rumors about others - this may be

done online through e-mail, instant message, chat rooms etc.

Teasing in a mean way, especially in front of an audience

Getting others to exclude someone

Cyber-bullying happens over the internet or on cell phones out of the view of adults!

Why should we care?Bullying is more common than many people think. It effects children’s mental health as well as physical health. It can also effect school work and family relationships. Bullying can have long lasting effects – some adults well into their 30’s clearly remember incidents of being bullied!

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Some Negative Effects of Bullying

Many children who are bullied have low self-esteem which continues for many years.

Children also complain of headaches, concentration difficulties, depression, and stomach aches.

Bystanders often mention feeling scared that they will be next and guilty that they couldn’t or didn’t help. They also talk about being distracted from school work.

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Why are students with Asperger’s targets?

According to Nick Dubin author of Asperger’s Syndrome and Bullying the majority of individuals with Asperger’s will experience repeated bullying and/or victimization at school.

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Students with Asperger’s are easy targets for a variety of reasons;

They appear different than their typically developing peers.They are not always aware of the teasing

or bullying behavior.Because of low social IQ they let things

build up then retaliate without the perception of what the punishments might be.

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Appearing different

Because of Special Interests the student with Asperger’s may seem out of step with their peers. These interests may be boring to other students so the difficulty becomes finding people with similar interests.

Many of our students have motor difficulties so participating in athletics is challenging. Even games at recess may be demanding.

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Appearing different (con’t)

Low frustration tolerance can lead to meltdowns and children who meltdown in school stand out from their peers!

Difficulty with multi-tasking and interpreting people’s intentions may lead the student with Asperger’s to frustration much more quickly than typically developing students.

Many children with Asperger’s process information at a different pace than expected. They may appear “spacey” or not listening, then when they respond it is too late.

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Not Aware of Bullying Behavior

Many children with Asperger’s or other socially challenging disorders can’t tell the difference between good natured teasing or someone being mean.

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Low Social IQ

Children with AS, because of built up frustration, may have an over reaction to a situation.

On the other hand they may be completely oblivious to an act of bullying or teasing behavior.

This can lead to frustration on the part of the school personnel.

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What to do?!

Many teachers report that they intervene.

Many students report of low/no intervention.

Actual data: According to Rebekah Heinrichs only about

14% of teachers intervene in episodes of bullying in the classroom and only 4% on the

playground!

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Believing the Target

Socially savvy students bully “under the radar”

Old-fashioned view of some schools – - If I don’t see it then I can’t do anything. - There’s nothing we can do unless a

teacher sees the bullying behavior.

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New Information

If a student reports an act of bullying behavior it needs to be acted upon.

Students who feel supported by their administration are more likely to report an incident than act in retaliation.

Stop Bullying Now says, “suspected bullying should never be ignored by adults.”

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Adults’ Responsiveness to Bullying

Adults overestimate their effectiveness in identifying bullying and intervening.

Many children question the commitment of teachers and administrators to stopping bullying 35% believed teachers were interested in

stopping bullying 25% believed administrators were interested in

stopping bullying (Harris et al., 2002). (from Stop Bullying Now)

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Assessing the SituationDevelop a survey for teachers/staff,

parents and studentsExamine various Bullying Prevention

ProgramsVisit schools that have instituted

bullying prevention programs that are working

Gather a network of like-minded professionals and community members to join in a partnership to help get started

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What YOU can do now

Learn more about Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Empower yourself to be more aware of what’s happening in your school.

Feel confident to interrupt bullying or teasing behavior.

Work on positive supports for the students with Asperger’s.

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Other ideas

Find out if your school or community will host a speaker on the topic

Start a support group for students Host an evening for parents to get

together and hear what they have to say

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What works in bullying prevention?

What is required to reduce bullying in schools is nothing less than a change in the school climate and in norms for behavior.

This requires a comprehensive, school-wide effort involving the entire school community

(From Stop Bullying Now)

Find a program that will work for your

school and community!

www.stopbullyingnow.comwww.dontlaugh.org

www.antibullying.netwww.bullying.org

www.preventinghate.org

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Bibliography

1)Perfect Targets - Asperger Syndrome & Bullying by Rebekah Heinrich © 2003 Autism Asperger Pub. Co.

2)Asperger Syndrome & Bullying - Strategies $ Solutions by Nick Dubin © 2007 Jessica Kingsley Pub.

3)Bully Proof - A Teacher's Guide Developed by Nan Stein © 1996 Wellesley College Ctr. For Research on Women and NEA Professional Library  

4)Freaks, Geeks & Asperger’s Syndrome - From the book cover: "To those of you who feel that you don't belong, always remember that different is cool!" © 2004 Jessica Kingsley Press

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Websites

www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov www.nickdubin.com www.preventinghate.org www.educationworld.com (Olweus)www.learn.unh.edu/bullying/ (1day

conference)

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Asperger’s Association of New England

www.aane.org T: 617-393-3824 866-597-2263 85 Main Street, Suite 101, Watertown, MA02472-4409

Changing perspectives – changing lives!