Bullying and Victimization in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Summary
Individuals on the autism spectrum experience disproportionately high rates of bullying and related victimisation throughout their lives. Core features of autism—differences in social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behaviours—can render children and adults vulnerable to various forms of harassment, including physical, verbal and cyberbullying. Comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity traits further compound this risk, shaping both the likelihood of being targeted and the severity of psychological impact. Bullying in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is associated with heightened levels of emotional distress, social isolation and reduced life satisfaction. Evidence points to a constellation of individual-level factors (for example, social competence, emotion-regulation difficulties) acting alongside contextual influences (school climate, peer attitudes, family engagement). Effective prevention and intervention call for multi-level strategies that encompass tailored social skills training, peer education, supportive school policies and the involvement of caregivers and mental health practitioners in systematic monitoring and response.
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Bullying and Victimization in Autism Spectrum Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bullying and victimization in autism spectrum disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviours.
Bullying Victimization: The experience of being the target of repeated aggressive acts, including physical, verbal or relational harm, by peers or others.
Cyberbullying: Online or digital communication used to harass, threaten or demean an individual, often through social media, messaging or other internet platforms.
Poly-victimization: Exposure to multiple and varied forms of victimisation (for example, physical assault, emotional abuse, sexual harassment) across different contexts.
References
- Poly‐victimization of autistic adults: An investigation of individual‐level correlates. Autism Research (2023).
- The traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder and bullying victimization in an epidemiological population. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2023).
- Adolescent–Caregiver Agreement Regarding the School Bullying and Cyberbullying Involvement Experiences of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
- Bullying of children and adolescents with autism spectrum conditions: a ‘state of the field’ review. International Journal of Inclusive Education (2014).
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