| Children with autism and aspergers have a great | | | | social worker and/or teacher incorporate |
| number of positive characteristics. Unfortunately, | | | | education about tolerance with persons who have |
| the sensitivities of children on the playground and | | | | disabilities, who are differently abled. |
| the social scene in middle and high school can be | | | | 3) Seek to network and connect with other |
| very different from adults who have a lot more | | | | families who have children on the spectrum. |
| education and sensitivity toward those who are | | | | Google autism or aspergers support groups in |
| different. | | | | your area. You may find that there are children |
| Parents may suspect that their children are being | | | | on the spectrum who have successfully navigated |
| bullied when the show some of the following signs | | | | through the social landmines of middle and high |
| and symptoms: | | | | school. Wrong Planet is an online forum started by |
| - Missing or broken possessions | | | | and for Aspies. You may find additional support |
| - Torn clothing or clothing and other items that | | | | and solutions there. |
| have been scribbled on | | | | 4) If you child with Aspergers or autism is seeing |
| - Frequent cuts and bruises | | | | a counselor or child psychologist, that therapist |
| - Increased anxiety | | | | can work with your child in the context of social |
| - School refusal, cutting classes | | | | skills training to learn how to be assertive and |
| - Complaints of digestive upset or headaches | | | | how to deal with bullying. Izzy Kalman, a school |
| - Sleep deprivation | | | | psychologist has written some free material at his |
| - Depression | | | | site, Bullies2Buddies, that can provide your child |
| - Morbid or suicidal thoughts | | | | with the scripts and mindset to handle the mental |
| - Personality change, modeling bullying behavior at | | | | and social challenges that come with bullying. |
| home What is a parent to do if they suspect that | | | | 5) Ask the school social worker or home room |
| some of this is going on? | | | | teacher if there are students who are assertive |
| 1) Help the child understand his/her diagnosis. It's | | | | and compassionate enough to serve as social |
| important for the child and the parents to have a | | | | mentors and friends to your child with Aspergers. |
| working understanding of how the child's mind | | | | 6) Encourage your child to join extracurricular |
| works and why s/he may be having some of the | | | | activities at school which are in sync with their |
| difficulties in school. Understanding the plusses and | | | | interests and abilities. By joining these activities |
| being able to work on areas of growth are key in | | | | they may connect with peers who can become a |
| addressing the bullying. | | | | safe haven for them at school. |
| 2) Help the teacher, school social worker, and | | | | This is a partial list of suggestions that is open to |
| principal understand your child's diagnosis. Present | | | | feedback from you, the reader. What have been |
| them with articles such as this one to help them | | | | your experiences, and what are some solutions |
| understand some of the unique struggles that | | | | you recommend? |
| your child may be going through. Request that the | | | | |