30% Of LGBTQ Students Diagnosed With Disability, Twice The Rate Of Kids Overall

Three in 10 LGBTQ youth have at least one formal disability diagnosis, according to a new report, a dual identity that makes them uniquely vulnerable to in-school victimization and exclusion. Read More >

NHL Team Cuts Ties With Draft Pick Over Bullying Of Classmate With Disabilities

 After a bullying incident came to light involving a Black classmate with developmental disabilities, an NHL franchise has renounced the rights to the team's fourth-round draft pick. Read More >

Teens' academic performance, mental health can be affected by bullying

Teenagers being bullied may withdraw, show signs of anxiety and depression and have academic issues, says licensed clinical social worker Nicole McQuillen. Parents should avoid escalating the situation and should speak with an official at the school "to explore what's going on and what can be done," she says.

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Youths at risk of ADHD, depression more likely to be bullied

Children who were most likely to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and depression had increased odds of being bullied, UK researchers reported in JAMA Psychiatry. The findings, based on data involving 5,028 youths in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children born between 1991 and 1992, also showed a higher likelihood of bullying exposure among those with elevated body mass index, but not those who were more likely to develop autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder or neuroticism.  Newsweek

Stop Cyberbulling Guide

https://fios.verizon.com/cyberbullying/     cyberbullying stats, a quiz and a printable certificate of completion.

Bullying Differs Based On Type Of Disability, Study Finds

New research suggests that incidents of bullying and other harassment targeting kids with disabilities vary depending on what sort of special needs a child has. Read More >

Study: Bias-based bullying may be more detrimental to youths

Adolescents who have experienced bias-based bullying -- meaning they were bullied because of their race, sexual orientation, disability or religion -- often reported school avoidance, psychological and academic difficulties, and fear of physical harm, according to a study in the journal Psychology of Violence. Researchers also found that those who were victims of general bullying, but not those who experienced single or multiple bias-based bullying, benefited from support from family, teachers, peers and the community, while victims of single bias-based and general bullying benefited from school safety and security measures.

App seeks to help curb cyberbullying of students

Researchers at the University of Colorado have developed an app that can alert school leaders and parents to the possibility that students are being bullied online. The BullyAlert app currently only works with Instagram, but developers say they are working to add other platforms and hope it will help schools curb cyberbullying.  The Denver Post (tiered subscription model)

Suicide Prevention and Warning Signs for Youth

Prevention starts with conversation and awareness in our homes, schools, and communities. In the 2013, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed 17 percent of high school students reported seriously considering suicide during the 12 months before taking the survey. About 8 percent of high school students attempted suicide during the same period. The Department of Education has a fact sheet, Youth Suicide in the United States, that c an help parents understand what measures schools are taking to identify the youth at risk, warnings signs to watch for, and about suicide prevention. To learn more about this fact sheet and other national resources, view the sheet in full.

Twitter Adds Disability To Abuse Reporting Options

Responding to user requests, Twitter is updating its platform to explicitly allow reporting of abusive or harassing tweets targeting people with disabilities. Read More >

Students With Special Needs Face Suspicion After School Shooting

In the aftermath of the Parkland, Fla. massacre, some students with disabilities are being taunted or callously pegged by others as being the next school shooter, parents and experts say. Read More >

Complaint Alleges Widespread Bullying Of Students In Special Ed

A school district in one of the nation's largest cities is being accused of downplaying or ignoring pervasive bullying of students in special education. Read More ;

10 Bully-Proofing Strategies to Help Children with Special Needs

Bullying is in the news all the time lately, and as a former special education teacher I know that children with special needs are targeted all too frequently. And they are so for a number of reasons. Special needs kids may be less mature than peers, exhibit quirky behaviors, or have a difficult time reading facial expressions, body language or verbal cues. They may be quick to anger or have poor impulse control. And sadly, kids who seem vulnerable or “different” fall victim to a bully’s cruelty. Studies find that students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are especially vulnerable…  Read in browser »

Bullying Often Triggers Fight Response In Kids With Disabilities

Children with disabilities are more likely than other kids to respond aggressively to bullying, researchers say, and they often attack not only those picking on them, but others as well. Read More >

Parents Guide to Phone Apps Potential Predator Apps & Potential Bullying Apps

Summary: Provides an overview of some of the most popular apps used by children, including those that present potential risks. Many of the app descriptions include links to articles or other resources that describe the app in greater detail. Internetmatters.org includes many other resources for parents to keep children safe online.   English Guide . . .   Spanish

Parents Find Ways To Mitigate Bullying, Teasing

Families of kids with disabilities are taking a variety of approaches – ranging from letters to presentations and cards to distribute – to proactively educate others about their child's needs. https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/04/11/parents-find-mitigate-bullying/22155/

5 Things You Should Know About Cyberbullying and Your Child with Special Needs

The explosion of the digital age has opened up a window to be virtually connected to anyone in the world; and while online connection has created opportunity beyond the imaginable, our society is now faced with a major problem resulting from this: cyberbullying. The internet enables bullying to extend far beyond the classroom walls and leaves victims in target range all of the time. The Reality of Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is described as when one uses electronic communication to threaten, harass, or intimidate a victim. This can be done anywhere online or through text messages, making cyberbullying nearly impossible to escape…  http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2016/01/25/5-things-about-cyberbullying-and-your-child-with-special-needs/?utm_source=Friendship+Circle+Blog&utm_campaign=55c7d1854b-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3ec270b4ae-55c7d1854b-199142745

ADHD Medications Make Kids Targets for Bullying, Study Shows

Researchers found children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who took medications were more likely to be bullied, compared to those who didn't take such medications. The findings in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, based on almost 5,000 public school students, showed that 1 in 5 of those who took ADHD medications were approached to sell or share them, and half of those approached said they sold or shared the drugs.
Healthline 
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/adhd-medications-make-kids-targets-for-bullies-study-finds-111915#1

Feds Warn Schools On Bullying Of Kids With Disabilities

In response to an increasing number of complaints, federal officials are reminding schools of their responsibilities to ensure that students with disabilities are not subjected to bullying.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/10/21/feds-schools-bullying/19775/

PACER & GALDERMA BAND TOGETHER TO RELEASE POWERFUL NEW SONG “I’M GOOD” TO DISCOURAGE BULLYING

Teens across the country are speaking out about bullying in a unique way during PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month with the release of “I’m Good,” a powerful bullying prevention song by renowned producer Clinton Sparks and hit recording artists The Mowgli’s and Kylie Morgan. The song was inspired by creative contributions about bullying from teens as part of the “Band Together to Banish Bullying Campaign,” a partnership between PACER and Galderma Laboratories, L.P., the makers of Epiduo® Gel. The song is now available for free download on #BTProject YouTube channel for those who say something kind via Twitter. Watch the official lyric video!https://www.youtube.com/user/bandtogetherproject/BandTogether