Bullying & Autism: How To Support Your Child

Bullying has changed in the last decade, and those changes may be especially hard on children with autism. Children with autism are already more likely to be bullied than other children. With the advent of cyberbullying, they may bring their bullies home. There are many other things you can do to support your child if they are experiencing bullying.

Is My Child With Autism Being Bullied?

As children with autism can have difficulty communicating their experiences, they may not be able to tell you if they are being bullied. Even if they can, they may not choose to out of fear.

Thus, you should keep your eye out for these signs that your child is being bullied:

Has unexplained injuries.
Their belongings are missing or damaged.
Complains of being ill or hungry frequently.
Expresses more anger or sadness than usual.
Is scared to go to school or meet other children.
Loses progress at school.
Sudden changes in behaviour.

How Can I Support My Child If They Are Being Bullied?

Children who have autism and are being bullied need strong intervention, as they frequently do not have the social and emotional skills to advocate for themselves or to resolve the conflict. You can work with your child’s school, both the teacher and principle, to reduce bullying and the impact it will have on your child. Some options include:

Lunchtime activities:
Lunchtime clubs and activities reduce a bully’s opportunity to pick on other children.
Supervised safe places:
It’s best if your child can retreat to an adult when being bullied.
Autism awareness programs:
Bullies may change their behaviour if they’ve given opportunities to learn about autism and develop compassion for children with autism.
Buddy system:
Pairing a child with autism with more socially skilled children can help them feel included and give them safer social opportunities.

Premier Home Care Services & Autism Services From iCare Home Health

Our autism services can offer you and your child another avenue of support for bullying. As part of our premier home care services, we help children with autism achieve clear goals, including social and play skills. We always take you and your child’s unique needs into account. Learn more about our services, and talk to us today about your child’s needs and how our expert care providers can help.