Autism, Bullying, Vulnerability And Verbal Self Defense

Social pressures are tough on any kid — and those who fall along the autism spectrum face even tougher hurdles when it comes to fitting in and interacting appropriately.

A study released this week noted that almost half of all teens with autism are bullied at school. 

According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the study’s author said that unless anti-bullying initiatives are specifically structured for children with special needs, they won’t end the bullying, or give children the tools they need to become more resilient: “I would argue that the bullying interventions that we’re using now, if not tailored, are ineffective,” said Paul R. Sterzing, the study’s lead author from the University of California, Berkley.

When the organization I’m working with, Vistelar Group, created the Verbal Self Defense program, they enlisted the expertise of Joel Lashley, a public health expert who has developed intervention strategies for public safety professionals responding to persons with autism. 

My training with Vistelar has been invaluable to my ability to teach anyone with any challenges.