Enhancing coping and resilience in bullied youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

In 2019, 22% of students aged 12–18 experienced bullying nationwide (National Center for Education Statistics, 2022). It is commonly observed that individuals with special needs are at a higher risk of being bullied. Research indicates that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are bullied at a rate of three to four times higher than their peers without special needs (Hoover & Kaufman, 2018). Bullying comes in different forms, with three main types of bullying: verbal bullying, social or relational bullying, and physical bullying (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022). Verbal bullying is making statements to another person in a harmful manner by teasing, threatening, or name-calling. Social, or relational bullying, damages relationships by ostracizing or shunning those targeted. Physical bullying is defined as injuring the other person’s body or possessions by kicking, punching, or taking targets’ belongings (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022). It is not uncommon for these types of bullying to overlap or for more than one to be present in instances of bullying. With technological advancements, cyberbullying is another common form that can take place via text message, email, or social media. In general, students with ASD experienced verbal bullying, most frequently, followed by relational, physical, and cyberbullying (Park et al., 2020). This chapter discusses these aspects of bullying in regard to the instances, as well as the consequences within the ASD population.