Bullying Is Not OK

What Is Bullying? Repeated negative actions that are meant to be mean. May be physical but can also include saying mean words and taunting. Can include “cyber-bullying.” Can happen in almost every social setting. Typically happens in less structured places like recess, buses, hallways, lunchrooms, and locker rooms.

What Have We Learned? Bullying is damaging to emotional development. K-12 can be a horrible experience for an unprotected student who is vulnerable to bullying. School yard bullies turn into adult bullies – Bullying is harmful to the healthy development of both the victim AND the bully.

Students With Autism Spectrum and Similar Disorders Are Typical Targets of Bullying Other students notice that students with ASD are different even if they cannot define the difference. Students with ASD are socially naive and can put themselves in difficult situations. A lonely student with ASD can confuse negative attention with positive attention or friendship. Students with ASD have poor problem-solving skills and need support.

What Can a Teacher Do? Look for signs of bullying (student reluctant to go out to recess). If your school does not have an anti-bullying campaign, help to start one. Talk about bullying in your classroom. Let all of your students know that bullying is not OK. Encourage your students to report bullying – stress that this is not tattling; it is the right thing to do.