Kids on the spectrum get bullied – even more so than typically developing kids. It’s a fact and it stinks. Almost always, these kids feel that they are being singled out, that they are alone in their suffering. They don’t necessarily talk about it and when they do, advice from adults is usually unrealistic and frustrating.

Recently, I came across this wonderful British website that does a few keys things really right:

1) Provides real letters to the editor from kids who are being bullied (Ask SAM).
This is wonderful because it shows real kids, with real issues, sharing their bullying stories and asking for help. This is normalizing and makes other kids reading feel less alone. The answers given by SAM are thoughtful, reassuring and directive.

2) Connects children being bullied with others to talk to (virtual support group). This cannot happen via telephone (as the hotline is in the UK), but it is available via email correspondence. *Probably a good idea to monitor this (despite it being a government funded service).

3) Provides easy to metabolize information/education about bullying and good links to strategies and stories.

Real Letters:
http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/AskSam/Bullying/Pages/Bullying.aspx