1. The Impact of Bullying: Our role in minimizing bullying
Jeff
Arseneaux & Sharon Delvisco
Together We Can conference
November 2018
The Impact of Bullying: Our role in minimizing bullying
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

2. Who am I A man with a major life disability
A man that has been bullied.
For a child with a major disability, every day is a struggle.
A man whose entire life was impacted by being bullied.
I spent 30 years in denial of the fact that Jeff Arseneaux has Cerebral Palsy
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

3. Who am I
ADVOCACY
Committee Member – Regional Advisory Committee for Region 9, Parishes of Washington, Saint Tammany, Saint Helena and Tangipahoa
Board Member – AAIDD Presenter’s Committee
Board Member – Families Helping Families
Arc of Louisiana
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

4. Who am I GOVERNMENT TESTIMONY
I appreciate the advocacy of Mr. Arseneaux and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff over the last year and it’s very obvious to see why he is a great public speaker. He’s entertaining, he’s heartfelt, and any group is lucky to have him participating with them, and we are fortunate to have him our community. People need to hear his story.
-Senator Sharon Hewitt
Mr. Arseneaux gives back aplenty to the State of Louisiana.
-Senator Eric Lafleur
When I go home at night it makes me feel good inside that there’s people like Mr. Arseneaux working in the direction that they’re working.
-Senator Jack Donahue
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

5. Definition of Bullying
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. 
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

6. Statistics
Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year.
Approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying.
17% of American students report feeling bullied
2 to 3 times a month or more within a school semester.
1 Suicide every 5 days
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

7. ExcerCise Think of a time when you were bullied.
Think about a time when you were a bully.
What does it mean to fit in.
Why do I feel like I don’t fit in?
Now, think about “ who are you”?
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

8. Types of bullying
Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:Teasing
Name-calling
Inappropriate sexual comments
Taunting
Threatening to cause harm
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

9. Why do I feel the need to fit in?
Am I Cool?
Do I fit in?
How do I fit in?
Why do I feel the need to fit in?
What can I do to fit in?
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

10. Kids that are bullied
Negative physical, academic, and mental health issues.
Depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.
Health complaints
Decreased academic achievement—GPA and standardized test scores—and school participation. They are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.
A very small number of bullied children might retaliate through extremely violent measures. In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the 1990s, the shooters had a history of being bullied.
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

11. Kids that are bullied 1 2 3 4 5 ARSENEAUX JEFF
Abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults 1
Get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school 2
Engage in early sexual activity 3
Have criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults  4
Abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses, or children 5
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

12. Why won’t kids ask for help
HELPLESS
Bullying can make a child feel helpless. Kids may want to handle it on their own to feel in control again. They may fear being seen as weak or a tattletale.
RETALIATION
Kids may fear backlash from the kid who bullied them.
HUMILIATING
Bullying can be a humiliating experience. Kids may not want adults to know what is being said about them, whether true or false. They may also fear that adults will judge them or punish them for being weak.
ISOLATION
Kids who are bullied may already feel socially isolated. They may feel like no one cares or could understand.
REJECTION
Kids may fear being rejected by their peers.
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

13. Signs of a bully Get into physical or verbal fights
Have friends who bully others
Are increasingly aggressive
Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently
Have unexplained extra money or new belongings
Blame others for their problems
Don’t accept responsibility for their actions
Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

14. Signs of a child being bullied
Unexplainable injuries
Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide
Stop bullying.gov
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

15. We are not alone Simple communication Preparation What if’s scenario’s
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

16. Parents Simple communication - Once a week discussion
Preparation - What if scenario's
Behavior change -Clothes - Routine
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

17. Parent When is the right time to take action-ASAP
When do I sit back and empower my child
When do I do nothing- NEVER
Become an active listener
Make complaint to school
Keep detailed record
Speak to schools counselor's or other counselor’s
Seek legal advice
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

18. Am I over reacting?
It’s never an over reaction to feel your child's pain
Recognize the difference between everyday childhood experiences and real bullying
Let the child work out normal bothers with advice but not interference
Respond rationally, not emotionally
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

19. Bystander Is there such a thing as an innocent bystander? No
What is the right thing to do ?
What is the wrong thing to do ?
Helpful bystanders directly intervene by discouraging the bully, defending the victim, or directing the situation
Get help by rallying support from peers to stand up against bullying or reporting the bullying to adults
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

20. Speak up Don’t be afraid You can make a difference
We can stop bullying
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

21. Do I allow bullying to change who I am ?
Attitude towards people
Appearance
Enthusiasm towards life
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

22. Am I the bully ? How do I recognize? Who is responsible? What do I do?
Do I get called out?
How do I stop?
JEFF
ARSENEAUX

23. Resources
- US Department of Health and Human Services
- #SeeMe Campaign
- free videos, etc.
Study.com free worksheets/activities online
– free worksheets for activities
Education.com has free worksheets d59e9&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing_Search_USA% 3AWorksheets_Concept&utm_term=printable%20worksheets&utm_content=pri ntable%20worksheets