Autistic children are more likely to be bullied as they get older, a Manchester study has revealed – and bigger class sizes make it worse.
The revelations, from a University of Manchester study, contradict prevailing opinions on the subject.
Children are more likely to be bullied at mainstream schools rather than special schools, revealed the study of 722 teachers and 119 parents by Dr. Judith Hebron and Professor Neil Humphrey.
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.”
However, smaller class sizes and a greater ratio of adults to pupils are two of a number of reasons why there is reduced opportunity for bullying in special schools.
Bullying is reduced if they have strong support networks of friends and teachers and when parents actively engage with their school.
But poor behaviour associated with the condition also leads to bullying as can use of public transport to travel to and from school.
“At its most extreme, bullying results in suicide, self-harm, low self-esteem, mental health problems and difficulties at school,” said Dr Hebron.
Those children without a ‘statement’ – entitling them to extra support and provision are also less likely to be bullied than children at School Action Plus.
“But not all of these children are bullied, and as researchers, we are interested in finding out why,” she said.
“Our results send out a message to parents and teachers to help them identify opportunities where they can intervene to prevent bullying.
“Having an adult on public transport, for example, might be a way to decrease the likelihood of bullying: unstructured social situations with little or no adult supervision are, according to our results, likely to lead to bullying.
“Contrary to what people may think, many children on the autistic spectrum – with support from their school and parents –wish to and are able to make friends, so our findings on the importance of social networks are potentially important.”
Younger students may be more tolerant of autism as they have less complicated social groupings, argue the researchers.
However, as they grow older, tolerance of difference may decrease as teenagers often want to fit in more closely to peer group norms, they say.
“Peer groups can be very inclusive and a positive culture within a school with a zero tolerance of bullying can nurture this type of environment,” she said.
Picture courtesy of BES Photos, with thanks.
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