As we all know that children and teenagers who have Special Needs tend to get bullied more often. Bullying is one of the most damaging forms of discrimination. Tomorrow is Anti-bullying Day and I encourage you to wear pink! If you are asking: Why a pink shirt? Click HERE to read about the touching story about two teenagers in Nova Scotia that took a stand against bullying in their high school. Take a stand against bullying, do your part to be an advocate and wear pink.
Here’s some interesting facts about bullying and SEN from a Stop Bullying Now website:
• Although little research has been conducted on
the relation between learning disabilities (LD)
and bullying, available information indicates that
children with LD are at greater risk of being teased
and physically bullied (Martlew & Hodson, 1991;
Mishna, 2003; Nabuzoka & Smith, 1993;
Thompson, Whitney, & Smith, 1994).
• Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) are more likely than other
children to be bullied. They also are somewhat
more likely than others to bully their peers
(Unnever & Cornell, 2003).
• Children with medical conditions that affect
their appearance (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular
dystrophy, and spina bifida) are more likely to be
victimized by peers. Frequently, these children
report being called names related to their
disability (Dawkins, 1996).
• Obesity also may place children at higher risk of
being bullied. In a study of children aged 11–16,
researchers found that overweight and obese girls
(aged 11–16) and boys (aged 11–12) were more
likely than normal-weight peers to be teased or
to be made fun of and to experience relational
bullying (e.g., to be socially excluded). Overweight
and obese girls were also more likely to be
physically bullied (Janssen, Craig, Boyce, & Pickett,
2004).
• Children who stutter may be more likely than their
peers to be bullied. In one study, 83 percent of
adults who had problems with stammering as
children said that they had been teased or bullied;
71 percent of those who had been bullied said it
happened at least once a week (Hugh-Jones &
Smith, 1999).
Here are some useful websites for Anti-bullying:
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