ADHD and Bullying
Why ADHD boosts vulnerability to bullying. Solutions for parents and educators of special needs children.
http://www.micheleborba.com/blog/2011/12/20/adhd-bullying/
Bullying is in the news all the time lately, but how often do you see it linked to ADHD? Dr. Michele Borba knows a lot about the connection between ADHD and bullying. We spoke with her recently and are thrilled to pass along this important information to you.
Edge: Seems like most parents of ADHD kids hear their child called a bully at one time or another. From the child’s perspective it can seem like every time they make a mistake, someone cries “bully.” What is bullying?
Borba: Every kid squabble, tease, or tiff is not bullying. The biggest problem we have right now with all of the awareness and discussion about bullying (which is good) is that no one is on the same page on the definition of bullying (which is a problem). So the first step to stopping bullying is to make sure that we are all using the same definition.
Edge: Do you have a good definition of bullying to share with our readers?
Borba: I prefer the definition of bullying offered by Olweus Bullying Prevention Program:
- Bullying is intentional, negative behavior. It is not an accident.
- Bullying is usually repeated. It becomes a pattern of behavior repeated over time.
- Bullying involves a power imbalance in play. The bully targets a child who has less power than him or herself. This can mean bigger in status, power, as well as in size-it’s someone who generally cannot hold their own.
Edge: So where does teasing fit in?
Borba: Bullying is different from teasing. Every kid in the world gets teased, but the teaser usually can speak up and stop the teasing. Teasing can be friendly or unfriendly and generally is amongst two kids on an equal level.
Furthermore, there are 5 types of bullying and different types of bullying happen at different ages:
- Physical bullying – slamming, kicking, punishing, pinching behaviors
- Emotional cruelty – girls do this best but boys are also guilty. This is also considered relational aggression. It’s the gossip and ridicule behind the scenes. Isolation, lies, rumors are some other examples of this type of bullying...
Also see: recommended book on bullying