In our latest How to Stop Bullying in New Jersey Schools article, we are going to discuss how peer support can be a powerful tool in preventing the bullying of children with special needs.

A Look Back: Creating a Safe Environment for Youth with Disabilities

How Teachers Can Help Prevent Bullying

Peer Support Makes a Difference

Here are a few examples of innovative strategies used by schools to promote peer-to-peer learning, foster relationships, and prevent bullying:

 

  • One high school created a weekly lunch program where student’s with and without special healthcare needs sat and ate lunch together. Several senior students led the group, and invited their friends to join. All kinds of students participated. The students got to know each other through question and answer periods and discussions over lunch. They discovered things they had in common and formed friendships. A group of them went to the prom together.
  • Youth at one school held a wheelchair soccer night. Students with special healthcare needs that used wheelchairs coached their peers in how to use and navigate the wheelchairs to play. The students helped another peer who used a wheelchair who was interested in photography by mounting a digital camera on her chair so she could be the game photographer.
  • Another school created a club rule that required clubs to rotate leadership responsibilities in club meetings so that every member had a chance to run the group. This allowed students with special health care needs to take on leadership roles.

stopbullying.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

mother holding her daughter with special needs next to her son on the couch

Getting the Necessary Support for Your Child

At the Law Offices of Johanna G. Burke, we understand that receiving the support your child with special needs requires to flourish can be tough. No matter the hardships your family is struggling to overcome, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation so we can begin navigating your child toward the fulfilling future he or she deserves.