Addressing bullying among students with disabilities within a multi-tier educational environment

Abstract

One of the most pervasive, yet neglected, problems impeding the socialemotional development of school-aged children is bully perpetration and victimization. Bullying has been linked to detrimental long- and shortterm outcomes, ranging from academic deficits and school avoidance to difficulties with depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and social relationships for victims. In this chapter, we outline the social and health dynamics impacting children with special health care needs (CSHCN) who experience bullying as well as effective interventions that develop support mechanisms for CSHCN with the involvement of teachers, peers, and parents. It is unclear exactly how to best involve parents of children with disabilities in effective tertiary interventions. Antibullying programs for families are at an early stage of development and multicomponent family interventions deserve further attention.