Kids With Disabilities Bullied More Often, Study Says

May 6, 2009

By Diament

May 5, 2009

Children and teens with developmental disabilities and other special needs are

bullied more often than their typically developing peers, according to a new

study from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Researchers looked at individuals ages eight to 17 with autism, cystic fibrosis,

learning disabilities and other behavioral and mental health diagnoses. They

compared this group's experiences to those of a control group of same-age

individuals with no diagnosis by using the Reynolds Bullying and Victimization

Scale. The findings indicate that those with disabilities were ostracized or

purposely ignored more often than their typically developing peers.

" It is essential that parents, educators, and clinicians regularly ask children

with special needs about their social experiences and reassure them that any

problems will be effectively addressed, " said lead author Dr. Twyman,

of the Medical University of South Carolina Department of Pediatrics. " Most

importantly, we should take steps to ensure that these children feel like they

`matter.' Parents often underreported bullying and ostracism concerns. Therefore

the child or adolescent needs to be asked directly about these problems. "

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