How Can Parents Help Children with Special Needs Handle Bullying at School?

It’s heartbreaking when a child with special needs faces unkindness from peers, like a classmate being mean at school.

 

Teach the child to use simple phrases like “please stop” to set boundaries calmly and report incidents to a trusted teacher.

 

Practice role-playing responses at home to build confidence. Meet with the school’s special education team to ensure the IEP includes social skills support or a peer buddy program to foster inclusion.

 

Encourage joining school clubs to build positive friendships. Connect with parent groups for shared strategies on handling bullying. If the behavior persists, request a meeting with the school counselor to address the issue directly.

 

VillageED’s resources offer guidance on supporting social challenges: https://www.villageed.org/sped-services.