Children with Disabilities and Bullying: What Parents Should Know

About one in five children and teens report being bullied. If your child has a disability or special health need, they are more likely to be bullied, according to stopbullying.gov.

You can help your child by:

• Learning about the different types of bullying
• Making it easier for your child to discuss their experiences
• Finding school-based and other resources to help prevent—or stop—bullying

First, it’s important to understand the definition of bullying.

Bullying can be verbal, social, or physical, such as:

• Name-calling or using cruel nicknames
• Mocking or imitating a disability
• Spreading rumors at school or on social media
• Threatening harm
• Hitting, kicking, or throwing objects
• Stealing or breaking possessions or medical devices
• Excluding a child from groups during class, lunch, recess, or online
• Other behavior that makes someone feel afraid or humiliated

People of all ages can bully others. Almost everyone will experience it at some point in their lives.

However, it is not a healthy or “normal” stage of development.

Bullying is a serious problem that can lead to:

• Refusing to go to school
• Lower grades
• Inability to concentrate in class or while doing homework
• Losing interest in school and hobbies
• Dropping out of school

Did your child tell you they are being bullied, teased, or “picked on” by other students?

Some children are too embarrassed to talk about bullying. Others fear nothing can, or will, be done to solve the problem.

Here are some ways to help your child:

• Ask your child about school, including friends.
• Use car rides or meals for conversation, not using your devices.
• Listen patiently. Let your child describe their experiences in their own words.
• Believe what your child tells you. Don’t assume they are exaggerating.
• Support your child’s feelings. Tell them nobody deserves to be bullied.
• Reassure your child that you will help.
• Learn about anti-bullying resources in your school, community, and beyond.
• Have them take the PHQ9 self-assessment here. These results should be shared with their doctor.  

When children and teens attend school with those who harm them socially or emotionally, they need support. Parents, teachers, and other adults are responsible for finding solutions.

Therefore, do not tell your child:

• To stand up to the bully. This can lead to more problems.
• To ignore the bully. In most cases, this is not realistic, or possible.
• To take matters into their own hands, especially if your child has a disability.

How can friends and other students help to prevent, or reduce, bullying? There are several ways to lend support.

Peers can help friends being teased or harassed by:

• Taking them to another room, conversation group, or cafeteria table
• Letting them know they are important and deserve to be safe
• Helping them talk with a parent, teacher, coach, or other adult
• If it is safe to do so, asking the person doing the bullying to stop

Get help with anxiety, depression, and more.

Carelon Behavioral Health is here to help you with behavioral health treatment for depression, anxiety, marriage and family problems, or alcohol and drug abuse. Have your child take the PHQ9 self-assessment here. These results should be shared with their doctor.  

You do not need approval for individual, family, or group therapy. Also, you do not need a referral from your regular doctor.

English/Spanish interpreter services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

HEALTHfirst STAR Medicaid 1-800-945-4644

KIDSfirst CHIP 1-800-945-4644

KIDSfirst CHIP Perinate 1-888-814-2352