Older children on autism spectrum bullied more than younger children with autism

Credit: Cherylt23 on pixabay

Older children on the autism spectrum are bullied more than younger children with the disorder according to a new survey.  The research, done by the University of Manchester in England, also found that autistic children in mainstream schools are bullied more often than those in special schools.

 

The study also examined the reasons behind the bullying.  The authors, Dr Judith Hebron and Professor Neil Humphrey, found the following factors increased the risk of bulling:

• Poor behaviour
• Use of public transport to and from school
• Not having a special needs statement

The researchers suspect that older children are targeted more often because as they get older their peers are less tolerant of differences.  Dr Hebron said: “Children with autism are easy targets because their behaviour may be regarded as odd or different, and our research tells us this is likely to result in bullying, teasing and provocation.”

Children with autism were less likely to be bullied if:

• They have strong support networks
• Their parents have frequent interaction with their school

The study, Risk and protective factors Exposure to bullying among students with autism spectrum conditions: A multi-informant analysis of risk and protective factors, is published in the journal Autism.

More information on this study is available from the Universityof Manchester.

©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action