The Bullied Child

Bullying has become a common experience for many children and teens throughtout our nation daily.  Recent surveys from the United States Department of Justice, indicate that as many as half of all children that enter their school threshold daily are bullied at some time during their school year, and at least 30% are children with special needs...FACT!

Bullying behavior can be physical, verbal, racial, ethinic, and via our technological advancements.  Boys tend to use physical intimidation or threats, regardless of the gender of their victims.  Bullying by girls is more often verbal, usually with another girl as the target. Bullying has even been reported in on-line facebook, my space, through e-mail and on social networking sites.

Children who are bullied experience real suffering that can interfere with their social and emotional development, as well as their school performance. Some victims of bullying have even attempted suicide rather than continue to endure such harassment and punishment.

Children and teens who bully thrive on controlling or dominating others through their pwer base.  They have often been the victims of physical abuse or bullying themselves.  Bullies may also be depressed, angry or upset about events at school or at home.  Children targeted by bullies also tend to fit a particular profile.  Bullies often choose children who are passive, easily intimidated, or have few friends.  Victims may also be smaller or younger, and have a harder time defending themselves.  This is why special needs children are bullied so often.

If you suspect your child is being bullied, it's most important to seek help for him or her as soon as possible, from his or her teacher, guidance counselor, or principal.  Without intervention, bullying can lead to serious academic, social, emotional and legal difficulties.  Talk to your child's pediatrician, teacher, principal, school counselor, or family physician. If the bullying continues, a comprehensive evaluation by a child and adolescent psychologist or other mental health professional should be arranged.  The evaluation can help you and your child understand what is causing the bullying, and help you develop a plan to stop the destructive behavior.

If you suspect your child may be the victim of bullying ask him or her to tell you what's going on immediatly. You can help by providing lots of opportunities to talk with you in an open and honest way.  And please take your children seriously...

It is also very important to respond in a positive and accepting manner. Let your child know it is not his or her fault, and that he or she did the right thing by telling you.  Please assure them that it is NOT tattling at all.  Other specific suggestions include the following:   

• Ask your child what he or she thinks should be done.  What's already been tried?  What worked and what didn't?
• Seek help from your child's teacher or the school guidance counselor.  Most bullying occurs on playgrounds, in lunchrooms, and bathrooms, on school buses or in unsupervised halls.  Ask the school administrators to find out about programs other schools and communities have used to help combat bullying, such as peer mediation, conflict resolution, and anger management training, and increased adult supervision. 
• Don't encourage your child to fight back.  Instead, suggest that he or she try walking away to avoid the bully, or that they seek help from a teacher, coach, or other adult.  
• Help your child practice what to say to the bully so he or she will be prepared the next time.
• Help your child practice being assertive.  The simple act of insisting that the bully leave him alone may have a surprising effect.  Explain to your child that the bully's true goal is to get a response.
• Encourage your child to be with friends when traveling back and forth from school, during shopping trips, or on other outings.  Bullies are less likely to pick on a child in a group.

If your child becomes withdrawn, depressed or reluctant to go to school, or if you see a decline in school performance, it is a clear sign that bullying is occuring and that further intervention is immediatly required.