scholarly journals Understandings and Experiences of Bullying: Impact on Students on the Autism Spectrum

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Saggers ◽  
Marilyn Campbell ◽  
Julie Dillon-Wallace ◽  
Jill Ashburner ◽  
Yoon-Suk Hwang ◽  
...  

In this qualitative study, we explored the perspectives of 10 adolescents with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their experiences of bullying. Through individual semistructured interviews, they were asked to describe their understandings and experiences of bullying. Details of their experiences are described as well as the perceived impact on the students and their schooling. Data analysis revealed a number of common experiences including high rates of traditional bullying and more specifically verbal bullying, with fewer incidents of cyberbullying reported. In support of literature in the area, the results of the study indicate that bullying can be a significant inhibitor, which may prevent students with ASD from taking full advantage of their schooling. Listening to and reflecting on the voices and personal stories of adolescent students with ASD is critically important for developing more supportive approaches to their education and needs. The reports of bullying by students on the autism spectrum emphasises the need for more effective interventions and management strategies to be implemented in a whole-school approach as well as targeted strategies to prevent bullying experiences for this particular population of students.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Campbell ◽  
Yoon-Suk Hwang ◽  
Chrystal Whiteford ◽  
Julie Dillon-Wallace ◽  
Jill Ashburner ◽  
...  

All forms of bullying, physical, verbal, social, and cyber, are prevalent among youth worldwide. An especially vulnerable population for involvement in bullying is students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although there are some studies that have investigated bullying in these students, many of these are beset by methodological issues. We surveyed 104 students with ASD on their bullying experiences in all 4 forms of bullying and examined their roles as victim, perpetrator, and bully-victim, comparing them with a group of typically developing students matched for age and gender. It was found that students with ASD reported significantly more traditional victimisation (physical, verbal, and social) than their typically developing peers. Cyberbullying victimisation was similar for the 2 groups. There were no differences between the groups on traditional bullying perpetration; however, typically developing students reported more cyberbullying perpetration behaviours. Implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.


Author(s):  
Katherine Weare

Schools are increasingly concerned with the well-being and mental health of their students. Effective schools use a ‘whole-school approach’ based on universal work from which targeted approaches gain coherence and support. The ethos is supportive, connected, and safe, with active steps to tackle stigma. ‘Difficult’ behaviour is seen as meaningful, and as an opportunity for learning and growth. Both risk factors and the building of resilience are addressed. Students and families are involved, ‘heard’, and engaged. Programmes to cultivate social and emotional skills are taught effectively with clear aims, programme fidelity, starting early, and carrying on for the long term. There are robust and clear processes to identify early, refer, and treat those with greater levels of mental health difficulty, integrated into the whole-school approach, involving the young person and their family, liaising closely with specialist services, and with easy and transparent pathways to timely and effective interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 314-325
Author(s):  
Kimberly F. Frazier ◽  
Jessica Collier ◽  
Rachel Glade

Background The aim of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of combining self-management strategies and a social thinking approach to address the social performance and executive function of an adolescent female with autism spectrum disorder. Method This research examined the effects of a social knowledge training program, “Think Social,” as well as strategies to improve higher order cognitive abilities. Results and Conclusion Although quantitative improvement was not found, several qualitative gains in behavior were noted for the participants of this study, suggesting a benefit from using structured environmental cues of self-management strategies, as well as improved social understanding through social cognitive training.


Author(s):  
Ntombizandile Gcelu ◽  
◽  
Amy Sarah Padayachee ◽  
Sekitla Daniel Makhasane

South African schools are faced with a serious problem of indiscipline. The available literature reveals that despite the efforts of school administrators and teachers to instil discipline among learners, indiscipline still abounds to the extent of getting out of hand. Based on the intention of this study, a qualitative study was adopted. A qualitative-based study underpinned by the interpretive research paradigm was employed to explore the perspectives of educators in their collaborative roles in managing discipline. The sample comprised twelve educators who were purposively selected from four secondary schools in the Ilembe District, KwaZulu-Natal. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect the data. The findings revealed that educators should apply the school code of conduct as a whole-school approach to managing discipline to create meaningful relationships with parents as stakeholders and communicate expected behaviours with learners. It is recommended that in implementing strategies to manage discipline, learners, educators, school managers and the school governing boards of all schools should take a collaborative approach to the management of discipline in secondary schools


Author(s):  
Bryan H. King ◽  
Agnieszka Rynkiewicz ◽  
Małgorzata Janas-Kozik ◽  
Marta Tyszkiewicz-Nwafor

This chapter provides a model that extends the current resources available for crisis behavior assessment and intervention for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring psychiatric conditions who are in crisis stabilization settings. Visual diagrams and intervention materials incorporated into this chapter illustrate the use of both preventative and responsive behavior management strategies that can be implemented in a time of crisis to stabilize and treat the psychiatric patient with ASD. The chapter begins with a review of a contextual method for evaluating and understanding the function of the presenting crisis behavior by considering the multiple issues that can underlie the crisis presentation. Working from this contextual model, the chapter then provides a blueprint for implementing intervention strategies to address crisis behaviors. This includes a table illustrating key elements to consider when developing a behavior intervention plan for dissemination and generalization.


Author(s):  
Roy McConkey ◽  
Sayyed Ali Samadi ◽  
Ameneh Mahmoodizadeh ◽  
Laurence Taggart

The use of psychotropic medication in children is increasing worldwide. Children with developmental disabilities seem to be prescribed these medications at a higher rate compared to their non-disabled peers. Little is known about prescribing in non-Western, middle-income studies. In Iran, the file records of 1133 children, aged 2 to 17 years, assessed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or an intellectual disability (ID) in Tehran City and Province from 2005 to 2019 were collated, and information from parental reports of medications was extracted. Upwards of 80% of children with ASD and 56% of those with ID were prescribed a psychotropic medication with around one quarter in each group taking two or more medications. The rates were higher among male children showing difficult-to-manage behaviors such as hyperactivity, but less so for children of fathers with higher levels of education. The lack of alternative management strategies may be a significant driver for the use of psychotropic medications in Iran and other Low and Middle Income countries, despite their known side effects, and their failure to address the developmental needs of the children. Rather, multi-disciplinary, behavioral, therapeutic, and educational interventions are required, but these are not available widely in Iran, although a start has been made.


2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Holt ◽  
Denise Martin ◽  
Carol Hayden ◽  
Claire Nee

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 173-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Galloway

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1394-1402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Matthews ◽  
Michael Nelson ◽  
Asha Kaur ◽  
Mike Rayner ◽  
Paul Kelly ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveObesity levels are rising in almost all parts of the world, including the UK. School food offers children in Great Britain between 25 % and 33 % of their total daily energy, with vending typically offering products high in fat, salt or sugar. Government legislation of 2007 to improve the quality of school food now restricts what English schools can vend. In assessing the effect of this legislation on the quality of English secondary-school vending provision, the response of schools to these effects is explored through qualitative data.DesignA longitudinal postal and visit-based inventory survey of schools collected vending data during the academic year 2006–2007 (pre-legislation), 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 (both post-legislation). Interviews with school staff explored issues of compliance. Product categorisation and analysis were carried out by product type, nutrient profiling and by categories of foods allowed or prohibited by the legislation.SettingEnglish secondary schools.SubjectsA representative sample of 279 schools including sixty-two researcher-visited inventory schools participated in the research.ResultsSchool vending seems to have moved towards compliance with the new standards – now drinks vending predominates and is largely compliant, whereas food vending is significantly reduced and is mostly non-compliant. Sixth form vending takes a disproportionate share of non-compliance. Vending has declined overall, as some schools now perceive food vending as uneconomic. Schools adopting a ‘whole-school’ approach appeared the most successful in implementing the new standards.ConclusionsGovernment legislation has achieved significant change towards improving the quality of English school vending, with the unintended consequence of reducing provision.


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