Prevention strategies bullying and kids with disabilities, such as physical, behavioral, intellectual, psychological, and sensory impairments, are more likely to be bullied. A variety of variables, including physical susceptibility, social skill difficulties, and hostile settings, may raise the risk. According to research, some children with impairments may also bully others. Children with specific health requirements, such as epilepsy as well as food allergies may be more vulnerable to bullying. Bullying may involve making fun of children with allergies or subjecting them to the allergens to which they are sensitive. Bullying is not severe in these instances; it may mean the difference between life and death.

Creating a Safe Environment for Disabled Youth

Special precautions must be made when it comes to bullying among children with impairments, special needs kids, and bullying. There are services available to assist children with disabilities who’ve been bullied and who also bully people. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or even Section 504 plans are often used by students with disabilities to develop specific methods for avoiding and reacting to bullying. These plans may include extra services that are required. Furthermore, civil rights rules protect students with impairments from harassment.

Providing a Safe Environment for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Youth with particular health requirements, such as diabetes that requires insulin control, food allergies, or epilepsy, may require school adjustments. They do not need an Individualized Education Program or a Section 504 plan in these situations. On the other hand, schools can safeguard children with specific health needs prevent bullying and other hazards. If a kid with specific health needs has a medical response, instructors should treat the medical issue before reacting to bullying. Educating students and instructors about their unique health requirements, as well as the bullying risk in children with disabilities associated with certain activities and exposures, may help keep children safe.

Federal Civil Rights Acts and Disabled Youth

Bullying may step over the line and become “disability harassment” when it is aimed at a kid because of their documented impairment and creates a hostile atmosphere at school. The school is required to handle the harassment under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act as well as Title II of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. More information about federal civil rights laws may be found here.

Preventing Bullying in Children with Special Health Care Needs

Having unique health care requirements due to neurological, psychological, physical, or mental health problems may exacerbate the difficulties children and adolescents experience as they attempt to navigate social settings in school and life. While bullying as well as cyberbullying are unpleasant realities for many young people, individual with developmental healthcare needs is more likely to be bullied by their classmates.