"Sociable Kidz", is a program designed to help give kids with autism the tools they need to face bullies at school. "A lot of children who are on the (autism) spectrum just tend to take it," she said. "Or they'll fight back, but physically fight back. They just don't have the skills or techniques. They don't know what to do" says Susan Hendler, one of the founders of "Sociable Kidz".
The program primarily instructs students how to prepare for possible bully confrontations through role playing exercises and rehearsing statements. They also have the students practice in front of mirrors, so that the students can see themselves as they're practicing. Michael Cohen, a student of "Sociable Kidz" states that he often faces being -- most of all -- name calling", which typically occurs at recess. Attending the program has taught students, like Michael, to ward off bullies with counterstatements like "I don't really like what you did, so I want you to stop" or "So if you hate me a lot, why don't you leave me alone then?."
Bullying not only takes a toll on the victim, but the victim's family as well. Michael's mother, Eileen Cohen, said "You just want to run and protect them or run to the school and scream at someone." After her son joined the program, Cohen believes that the program has taught her son to "stop and think before he reacts" during confrontations.
I think this is a great program and has definitely helped some students gain the self- confidence and self- esteem they need to stand up to their bullies. Although, I feel that more should be done on the administrative level to punish or reach out to the bullies and their families. Bullying is not something that should be put up with. It's wrong and should be nipped in the bud right when it starts. If students like Michael are being "beaten up", "bullied", and "name called", what is the school doing about it to stop it? In Michael's situation, it doesn't sound like the schools are doing much. In his cause, it also sounds like a recurring situation, which is just not ok... at all!
Now, that I'm done with my mini rant, I want to hear what you guys think! Do you guys think programs like these are really effective or are just temporary problem solvers? What's your take on bullying? What do you think should be done?
4 comments:
Im not really sure if this is a positive or a negative, I cant decide. I guess your point is valid that it is a partial solution to the problem for now, but in the long run, these students should be better protected and helped out by adults in the area. As mentally challenged students wont have the same social skills as regular students, the tend to use violence as a first reaction, and obviously that will lead to the being physically hurt, as well as maybe being punished. I think I like the aspect of teaching kids to speak up for themselves, but in the long run, students who are developing social skills at different levels need more guidance from adult figures. interesting topic
I think this is a great idea. I have an autistic little brother, and I know that children with autism need all the help they can get in defusing difficult social situations. The most important thing for autistic children is individual guidance from parents, teachers, and counselors. Programs like this one should play a secondary role.
I think that this program will be beneficial to autistic kids who are getting bullied because they'll be able to verbally defend themselves. Instead of immediately resorting to physically fighting back, which often causes the autistic child to get into even more trouble, this program seems like it will really help the kids to learn to defend themselves the right way. I agree with Michelle when she says that this program is good because it helps increase one's self-esteem and confidence in themselves; hopefully in the future, more programs like this can be implemented in schools to further help autistic or mentally challenged students.
I think this program is a really great one that can have a lot of beneficial effects. In addition to helping autistic kids deal with confrontations, I think programs like these could be expanded to kids with all kinds of different disabilities. Programs like these could even be introduced to all young children. Bullying is a serious problem in schools, as I'm sure we all remember those who chose to take their own lives as a result of bullying at school. On the side of note of dealing with bullies, I think bullies need to be confronted, and children who are bullied cannot solve the problem by avoiding situations or running away.
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