I am currently in the process of writing an ebook on bullying. This explains the sudden focus of my blog almost exclusively on bullying issues. This modified portion of my book focuses on IEP goals parents should consider if their child is experiencing bullying at school. As we all know by now, special needs children are bullied 2 to 3 times more frequently than their typical peers. As I have mentioned in previous articles, one of the first steps that the parent of a special needs child should take is to request an IEP meeting.

The following are some IEP goal areas and interventions that can directly or indirectly help address student bullying and should be considered at that meeting.

• Teach to whom the child should report: A child who is experiencing bullying should be provided with a contact person at the school to whom they are to report any further bullying. A goal should be included that the child can identify the person to whom they are to report bullying. Simply possessing the knowledge that there is someone on campus charged with protecting them if bullying occurs can really increase your child’s feeling of personal safety and empowerment on campus.
• Communicate the difference between tattling and reporting: A goal can be implemented that teaches your child the difference between tattling (bad) and reporting (good). Tattling is telling on someone for the sole person of getting someone in trouble. Reporting is the disclosure of information for the purpose of preventing danger to yourself or someone else. Students should understand that when they are bullied, telling an adult is not tattling but is reporting and necessary.
• Help other children understand: A goal for the school or class can be implemented that teaches children about a particular disability or need for assistive technology. Children who understand why children are “different” are more likely to be understanding of that difference.
• Increase self-knowledge: It is important for children to understand their own disability. Self-awareness can increase self-esteem as children learn to appreciate what makes them different and recognizing the work they are doing to be successful. In addition, understanding their own disability will also increase their awareness of how their disability can work for or against them in the social situations they encounter.
• Teach your child to say “No”: Saying “No!” and meaning it is an important lesson for all children. Children need to be taught how to assertively advocate for themselves when someone is trying to hurt them.
• Encourage friendship skills: Children who are bullied are more likely to be loners. The kids on the playground who are always off playing by themselves. By teaching your child the values of friendship, and the rules of friendship, they are more likely to develop positive friendships at school and be less likely to become the targets of bullies.
• Be a part of a social skills group: In social skills groups, children receive invaluable feedback from their peers about their social skills. This occurs in a positive way, rather than the usually harsh ways that kids teach other kids that their behavior is not in line with the norm. Further, as they learn these skills, the friendships discussed above are more likely to develop.
• Increase pragmatic skills: Pragmatics is about the unspoken rules of social language. Learning to take turns in speaking, paying attention the listener’s body language, speaking differently to different people are all examples of pragmatics. A poor understanding of pragmatics can be a cause of bullying.
• Allow early exit from class: Where children change classes during the day, a way to reduce the risk of bullying is to allow your child to leave a couple of minutes early so that they can get to their next class without having to interact with all the general education population.
• Have an aide shadow your child: In more severe situations a parent can request an aide shadow the student when they are out of the classroom. It may even be appropriate to request a one-on-one aide so that the child is never on campus and unsupervised.
• Consider a change of placement: Finally, a change of placement may even be in order. With regard to this specific issue, the court decisions in this area conflict. For a particularly thoughtful and well-written decision in which it was held a child was denied FAPE (a free and appropriate public education), read “Federal Judge Holds Bullied Special Education Student Denied FAPE.”

Also, I welcome additional suggestions. Please email me at gregorybranch@edrightsadvocate.com.

If your child is experiencing bullying at school, please contact my office for a consultation. You may use the email address above or call me at (714) 856-1166.

www.edrightsadvocate.com