Bullying and Students With Disabilities: Strategies and Techniques to Create a Safe Learning Environment for All

Does your bullying policy protect all students? A 2007 study uncovered a shocking fact: 80% of children with learning disabilities are bullied at school. As schools implement bullying policies, are they doing enough to address the unique needs of this 80%?  Drawing on extensive studies on bullying in schools, Barry McNamara provides a research-based overview to understand bullying. Additionally, this book shows how to identify bullies and victims and implement an effective and inclusive bullying prevention program. Readers will discover: What research says about bullying against students with disabilities How programs typically fail to serve this population A roadmap for an inclusive schoolwide program Special intervention and coping strategies Start down the road to create an inclusive and tolerant school climate where every student feels safe and valued. "It has long been known that students with disabilities are targets for bullying or exhibiting bullying behavior. This book provides information on how teachers, paraprofessionals and parents can address bullying with students with disabilities within the schoolwide program to meet the individual needs of the child and create a safer school environment." — Barbara Hayhurst, Special Education Teacher Lakevue Elementary, Nampa, ID "Bullying of students with disabilities is often unaddressed in many schools. This book shines a light on a problem that often goes unnoticed and provides sound advice and guidance to all school-based staff." —Mary Reeve, Educational Administrator Gallup McKinley County Schools, NM

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Author 1. What is Bullying? What is Bullying? Who are the Bullies? Who are the Victims? Schools and Bullying What Causes Bullying? What About the Rest of the Students? Gender Differences Prevalence Summary Test Yourself 2. Why Are Students With Disabilities Targeted? Introduction The Nature of Disabilities Classification of Students With Disabilities Non-Categorical Approach Classroom Placements Summary Test Yourself 3. How to Identify Bullies and Their Victims How to Identify Bullies How to Identify Victims Types of Victims Early Identification Assessing the Problem Summary Test Yourself 4. Creating a Schoolwide Program Components of an Effective Program to Reduce Bullying Evidenced-Based Programs Including all Students in a Schoolwide Program Needs Assessment Differentiate Content and Delivery Vary the Method of Presentation Use a Variety of Reading Material Vary the Level of Difficulty Teach Attending Skills Teach Memory Skills Managing the Collaborative Classroom Summary Test Yourself 5. What Every Teacher Must Do Know Your District’s Policy Modify the Schoolwide Program Provide Instruction for Dealing With Bullies Create a Kind and Caring Classroom Provide Resources for Your Students Collaborate With Families and the Community Address Cyberbullying Summary Test Yourself 6. What Every Paraprofessional Should Know Roles and Responsibilities How to Intervene Paraprofessional Handbook Roles and Responsibilities in Bullying Prevention/Intervention Confidentiality Summary Test Yourself 7. What Every Parent Should Know Signs Your Child Might be a Victim What Should You Do? What To Do if Your Child is a Bully Be a Good Role Model Provide Social Skills Training How to Deal With Cyberbullying Use Your Child’s IEP Use Section 504v of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Best Practices for Parents When to Seek Professional Help Summary Test Yourself 8. Teacher Supports And Techniques Utilize the Existing PBS Utilize a Collaborative Teaching Model Create an Empathetic Classroom Differentiate Instruction Include Social Skills and Bully Prevention Into the Curriculum Summary Test Yourself References Index

Review :
"It has long been known that students with disabilities are targets for bullying or exhibiting bullying behavior; this book provides information on how teachers, paraprofessionals and parents can address bullying with students with disabilities within the school wide program to meet the individual needs of the child and create a safer school environment." "This book is a must have for all schools. Bullying of students with disabilities is often unaddressed in many schools. This book provides sound advice and guidance to all school-based staff. It shines a light on a problem that often goes unnoticed." "Dr. McNamara provides an excellent reference for teachers, administrators and parents regarding bullying in schools. His thoughtful discussion of the implications for students with disabilities offers significant insights into how and why a youngster′s disability may make them a target for bullying as provocative victims. Educators and parents alike will benefit from the subtle yet important distinction between a provocative victim and their bully." "McNamara addresses classroom and playground teasing, taunting and physical aggression aimed at atypical students. ′There is a very limited but emerging body of research that suggests that students with disabilities are more likely to be victims than their general education peers,′ McNamara writes. ′Why are students with disabilities more likely to be targeted? The most obvious reason is their vulnerability.′ The book goes on to suggest how to create a schoolwide bullying prevention program, detail what every teacher should do and outline intervention and coping strategies."