Why do they pick on me?

Transcription

1 Why do they pick on me? Practical strategies which school students on the autism spectrum and their parents can use to detect, manage and prevent school bullying Mr. Matthew Bennett, M.Soc.Sc. PhD Candidate, Flinders University Friday 1 st August 2014, 1.25pm, Room 6A.

2 Who am I PhD Candidate at Flinders University My research focuses on adults with Asperger syndrome In particular education, employment and relationship experiences

3 Today s presentation Section One: An overview of the literature on students with ASDs and school bullying. Types and definitions of school bullying Reasons why students with ASDs are bullied Long and short-term impacts which school bullying has on adults with ASDs Section Two Classroom specific and school wide anti-bullying programs. Section Three: Strategies which teachers, students with ASDs and their parents can use to reduce school bullying.

4 Section One An overview of the literature on students with ASDs and school bullying

5 Definitions of school bullying Source: Rose, C. A., Monda-Amaya, L. E., & Espelage, D. L. (2010). Bullying Perpetration and Victimization in Special Education: A Review of the Literature. Remedial and Special Education, 32(2), , p. 118.

6 Commonalities of school bullying definitions Source: Rose, C. A., & Monda-Amaya, L. E. (2012). Bullying and Victimization Among Students With Disabilities: Effective Strategies for Classroom Teachers. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(2), , p. 100.

7 Types of aggression that may be defined as bullying Source: Rose, C. A., & Monda-Amaya, L. E. (2012). Bullying and Victimization Among Students With Disabilities: Effective Strategies for Classroom Teachers. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(2), , p.101.

8 The cyber domain Bullying has recently included cyberspace. Bullying attacks can occur over Facebook and . Source: Kowalski, R. M., & Fedina, C. (2011). Cybrbullying in ADHD and Asperger Syndrome populations. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5,

9 Reasons why students with ASDs are bullied Limited peer interactions Limited ability to build friendship networks Limited communication abilities Restricted range of interest Source: Cappadocia, M. C., Weiss, J. A., & Pepler, D. (2012). Bullying Experiences Among Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, Humphrey, N., & Lewis, S. (2008). Make me normal : The views and experiences of pupils on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools. Autism, 12(1),

10 Impacts of school bullying Victimization from bullying can result in a series of negative long- and short-term impacts Poor academic commitment and achievement School avoidance Socially undesirable behaviours, such as: smoking, drinking, physical fighting, and substance abuse Developing mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation Source: Schroeder, J. H., Cappadocia, M. C., Bebko, J. A., Pepler, D. J.,& Weiss, J. A. (2014). Shedding Light on a Pervasive Problem: A Review of Research on Bullying Experiences Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44,

11 Section Two Classroom specific and school wide anti-bullying programs

12 Anti-bullying programs Anti-bullying programs can be school-wide or classroom-specific Anti-bullying programs include: Olwes Bullying prevention program Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies Peacebuilders Project Resolving Conflict Creatively Porogram Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways Second Setup

13 Section Three Strategies which teachers, students with ASDs and their parents can use to reduce school bullying

14 Strategies to reduce school bullying Students with ASDs Students with ASDs need to play around others because safety exists in numbers. Students with ASDs need to report bullying. Source: Jo Garcia Biggs, M., Simpson, C., Gaus, M. D. (2010). Using a Team Approach to Address Bullying of Students with Asperger s Syndrome in Activitybased Settings. Children & Schools. 32(3),

15 Strategies to reduce school bullying Teachers Staff development and training courses. These courses should focus on the: Characteristics of bullies and victims Prevalence and types of bullying Source: Jo Garcia Biggs, M., Simpson, C., Gaus, M. D. (2010). Using a Team Approach to Address Bullying of Students with Asperger s Syndrome in Activitybased Settings. Children & Schools. 32(3),

16 Strategies to reduce school bullying Teachers Teachers should enforce a strict zero tolerance policy. Establish a buddy system to help students with ASDs. Teach children with AS specific areas where they are most vulnerable to being bullied. Source: Jo Garcia Biggs, M., Simpson, C., Gaus, M. D. (2010). Using a Team Approach to Address Bullying of Students with Asperger s Syndrome in Activitybased Settings. Children & Schools. 32(3),

17 Strategies to reduce school bullying Parents and/or Teachers Role play bullying situations in which the student with an ASD are specifically taught to respond to bullying. Source: Jo Garcia Biggs, M., Simpson, C., Gaus, M. D. (2010). Using a Team Approach to Address Bullying of Students with Asperger s Syndrome in Activitybased Settings. Children & Schools. 32(3),

18 Strategies to reduce school bullying Teachers If acts of bullying take place, they must be investigated. Activities should be designed to include all children. Educators should avoid elimination games. Source: Jo Garcia Biggs, M., Simpson, C., Gaus, M. D. (2010). Using a Team Approach to Address Bullying of Students with Asperger s Syndrome in Activitybased Settings. Children & Schools. 32(3),

19 Questions & Comments

20 References