From the Guidelines
Approximately 60-70% of children with learning disabilities are at an increased risk of being bullied, with a significant portion of them experiencing severe distress, resulting in lower school performance and school attachment. This is based on the most recent evidence from 1, which highlights the psychosocial challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disability (ID)/intellectual developmental disorder (IDD), including being at increased risk for being bullied, particularly if they have ADHD. The bullying often takes various forms including:
- Verbal harassment
- Social exclusion
- Physical aggression
- Cyberbullying These experiences can exacerbate existing challenges, leading to increased anxiety, depression, school avoidance, and further academic difficulties. Parents and educators should watch for warning signs such as:
- Unexplained injuries
- Lost belongings
- Declining grades
- Sleep problems
- Reluctance to attend school Effective interventions include:
- Teaching social skills
- Implementing school-wide anti-bullying programs
- Providing appropriate academic accommodations
- Encouraging open communication
- Ensuring prompt adult intervention when bullying occurs Early identification and intervention are crucial to protect these vulnerable students and support their educational and emotional development, as supported by 1 and 1.
From the Research
Learning Disabilities and Bullying
- There is limited research on the relationship between learning disabilities (LD) and bullying, but studies suggest that children with LD are at increased risk of victimization 2.
- Factors and characteristics that make children and youth with LD vulnerable to bullying include social, emotional, and behavioral problems.
- However, the exact percentage of children with learning disabilities who are reported to have been bullied is not specified in the available studies.
Available Studies
- The available studies focus on the treatment of internalizing disorders, such as depression and anxiety, using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 3, 4, 5, 6.
- These studies do not provide information on the percentage of children with learning disabilities who are reported to have been bullied.
Conclusion Not Available
- Due to the lack of relevant studies, it is not possible to provide a specific percentage of children with learning disabilities who are reported to have been bullied.