Top Ten Facts Parents, Educators and Students Need to Know About Bullying:

1. The Facts - Students with disabilities are much more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers.

2. Bullying affects a student's ability to learn.

3. The Definition - bullying based on a student's disability may be considered harassment.

4. The Federal Laws - disability harassment is a civil rights issue.

5. The State Laws - students with disabilities have legal rights when they are a target of bullying.

6. The adult response is important.

7. The Resources - students with disabilities have resources that are specifically designed for their situation.

8. The Power of Bystanders - more than 50% of bullying situations stop when a peer intervenes.

9. The importance of self-advocacy.

10. You are not alone.

Taking Action

Getting started is as easy as writing a letter to your child's teacher, or asking your Principal to post your school's anti-bullying policy in public places around the school building. It could mean talking to your child about how he or she has experienced bullying, or reading about the roles of bullying and identifying your personal place in the cycle of bullying.

Every step towards a bully free world will help a child with special needs live free from fear and torment.

Websites

The Bully Project

http://specialneeds.thebullyproject.com/

No Bullying.com

http://nobullying.com/down-syndrome-facts/

Stop Bullying

http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/

Cyberbullying: The New Online Crime

www.grabellaw.com

Face Bullying with Confidence – 8 Skills Kids Can Use Right Away

www.kidpower.org

Teach Antibullying, Inc.

www.teachantibullying.com

Ability Path Bullying Resource Guides

http://www.abilitypath.org/areas-of-development/learning--schools/bullying/articles/bullying-special-needs-children-targets.html

School Bullying Prevention: 31 Resources

www.crisisprevention.com

The National Autistic Society: Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorders – A Guide for School Staff

www.autism.org.uk

Interactive Autism Network: Bullying and ASD

www.iancommunity.org

Autism NOW: Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorders

www.autismnow.org

Other Resources

The Signs of Bullying: What to Look For If You Suspect Your Child is Being Bullied

www.disabled-world.org

Bullying and Students with Special Needs DVD

In the DVD Bullying and Students with Special Needs, experts look at this issue and advise teachers and administrators on how to develop specific strategies and approaches.

www.omni-pub.com