Did You Know?

• Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year.
• Bullying is often a reason children skip school or drop out.
• A DASA coordinator is available in every school district.
• Youth who are bullied are more likely to be depressed, lonely, and/or anxious.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE BULLYING

Bullying

• Is a form of pushy behavior intended to cause harm
• Usually happens over and over
• Can be both direct and indirect
• A bully and the target do not have equal power

Forms of Bullying

• Physical (hitting, kicking, shoving)
• Verbal (offensive remarks, name calling, threats)
• Relational (group of attackers, spreading rumors, gossiping, excluding or being left out)
• Cyber (harm caused through social media, cell phones and emails)

Additional Forms of Bullying Faced by Individuals with Special Needs

• Manipulative bullying (being talked into something and controlled by another person)
• Conditional bullying (mistaken friendship)
• Exploitive bullying (using the person’s challenges as part of bullying)

There is a law called The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) that supports schools in creating an environment free of discrimination and harassment.

Bullying of any kind is a form of violence that should not be allowed. Parents and Educators together should address bullying and social skill development within the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT BULLYING?

What Parents should do

• Be your child’s advocate by being aware and seeking help.
• Connect with DASA Coordinator in your school district.
• Keep the focus on your child.
• Support your child (do not blame your child or ignore the problem).
• Encourage your child to talk about what happened.
• Carefully watch how your child is doing (safety, emotional health and school performance).

What Educators should do

• Create a welcoming and safe environment for all students.
• Use opportunities in the classroom to:
  • Teach about the forms of bullying.
  • Discuss how to get help.
  • Promote positive communication.
  • Teach about disabilities and abilities.
• Provide education or instruction, and resources that value diversity, including disabilities.
• Modify anti-bullying programs to include youth with special needs.
• Create school and classroom school’s anti-bullying policies.

There is a law called The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) that supports schools in creating an environment free of discrimination and harassment.

Bullying of any kind is a form of violence that should not be allowed. Parents and Educators together should address bullying and social skill development within the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).