"Research by the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine published an article in September 2012 showing that children of autism spectrum disorders are far more likely to be bullied than non-autistic peers. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders can become a greater target because of the differences. They typically have difficulty in communicating, formulating relationships, aren't very good at picking up on things like sarcasm and humor, and may not realize they are being harassed.
The children at greatest risk, it turns out, appear to be those who also hold the most promise for leading an independent life. The researchers found that the risk of being bullied was greatest for high-functioning children who end up not in special education programs, but in mainstream classes, where their quirks and unusual mannerisms stand out and they are more exposed to bullies."My son falls in this category. I think as a mother watching him take flight into the world has my mothering protecting instinct on high alert.
I have done many things to help my son who has autism fit into the mainstream of public school and become resilient to life's unkindness and being bullied. Not only can individuals with autism be targets of bullies, they also usually have very unique interests and talents. I tried to encourage him to pursue his interests and talents no matter what others thought.
My son has had an uncanny knack for playing an instrument. He can play about 6 instruments. One of which is the sousaphone (a type of tuba). In middle school, his music instructor gave him a tuba to play. He was shocked at my son's natural abilities. He played it as if he had been playing it for years. Recognizing his talent, was a huge step or bridge in connecting him with his peers.
In middle school, my son also showed interest in riding a unicycle. He became very proficient and can ride three sizes, including a 5 foot unicycle. He can even do tricks like jumping curbs on his unicycle. He would ride his unicycle daily to and from school every day for 6 years, rain or snow. Since he is so structured and routine orientated, he rode the same route every day at the same time. The daily drivers on his route only knew him as the boy riding the unicycle. Later I would hear that drivers would look for him on their way to and from work.
One summer, he asked his band instructor if he learned to play the sousaphone could he ride it when they played during football games. His instructor agreed. So, diligently he practiced getting up on the unicycle with the sousaphone. Eventually he was able to ride with it and play it at the same time. He played and rode his unicycle during football game half time shows for three years in high school.
Fortunately his talents and interests were embraced by his peers which helped him have a greater sense of belonging and connection while at school. Many kids thought it was cool and wanted him to teach them to ride. Not all interests and talents are embraced by students at school and can be seen as different which can cause them to be ostracized and bullied.
Now that he is out of high school and transitioning into life more and more, I must admit, I never stop worrying and wanting to protect and advocate for him. I certainly don't have to advocate for him like I used to, but I still have a strong desire to protect him. He recently passed his railroad conductors license and is heading off to schooling in another state to be a railroad engineer. Ultimately he wants to travel and work on the railroad driving trains. I am excited and filled with mixed emotions as I see him pursue his dream and go on the road.
Every person has gifts and talents to be shared with the world. May we all embrace the differences in others and help be a bridge to their success.
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