Recent statistics suggest that autistic children are adversely impacted by bullying at far greater rates than neurotypical children. According to Jennifer McConnell, a licensed and board-certified behavioral analyst at the Pierce Autism Center at Touro University, neurodiverse children are bullied about two to three times more than their peers.
A few key reasons for this difference, according to the expert’s opinion, are:
- Autistic youth have a different communication style than their peers
- Autistic youth often have different interests than their neurotypical peers
- Autistic youth often interact with their peers differently than their peers are used to
- Neurotypical children may be naturally inclined to distance themselves from neurodiverse peers simply because they instinctively recognize that something is different about them
McConnell goes on to explain that some of these bullying instances are not overt. Many of these instances of bullying stem from misunderstandings between the children as they all strive to learn how to relate to each other. According to McConnell, one of the most powerful things we can do to change the situation is to help all children get more informed about neurodiversity, sensory issues, differences in communication styles, and empathy.
McConnell, along with plenty of other influential autism advocates, strives to emphasize the power of inclusion. The more neurodiverse children are included in neurotypical situations, the more neurotypical children will normalize the differences between all individuals.
One of the most jarring aspects of the recently revealed bullying statistics is that many autistic children do not know how to advocate for themselves. These youngsters, who might already have difficulties communicating, often suffer in silence due to not being able to fully explain what’s happening to them to an adult.
McConnell has over 16 years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. She specializes in working on parent training, social skills, imitation skills, and verbal behavior. Her favorite part about her job is empowering parents and caregivers with the skills they need to help autistic individuals live a more independent life.
Do You Have an Autistic Child in Nevada?
Like McConnell, our team here at the Nevada Autism Center is also a strong advocate of the power of inclusion. We also strive to empower parents and caregivers with the right knowledge and skills they need to advocate for their children to the fullest. What’s more, we use ABA therapy to equip autistic children with the coping skills they need to become as autonomous and successful as possible.
On top of individual therapy sessions, we also offer family guidance, teach adaptive skills, host summer camps, and offer model classroom opportunities to help autistic children become more comfortable in a public school-like setting.
We accept several types of insurance plans, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and more. We focus less on billing and insurance and more on our clients and their families. Get in touch with our team today with any questions you have at (702) 660-2005. You can also get started on the enrollment process now by filling out our online form.
