October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and take action to protect kids from bullying. As parents, we want nothing more than to see our children safe, happy, and confident. Bullying, whether it happens on the playground, in the classroom, or online, can get in the way of that.
Children with autism or other disabilities are especially vulnerable to bullying. They may have physical, developmental, or social differences that other kids don’t understand, and these differences can lead to misunderstandings from peers.
Understanding Bullying
Bullying isn’t just “kids being kids.” It’s repeated, intentional behavior meant to hurt or intimidate someone.
Bullying can take many forms:
- Physical – hitting, pushing, damaging belongings
- Verbal – name-calling, teasing, threats
- Social/relational – exclusion, rumors, peer pressure
- Cyberbullying – harassment or humiliation through phones, apps, or social media
Physical bullying is often the easiest to recognize and is usually stopped quickly by teachers, school staff, or even other students. Other forms of bullying, such as verbal, social, or online bullying, can be much harder to identify. These types can have a deeper emotional impact, and kids may feel too ashamed or confused to tell a trusted adult what is happening.
This is why it is so important for parents to know the signs that their child is being bullied.
Warning Signs Your Child May be Experiencing Bullying
Every child is different, but here are some common red flags:
- Doesn’t want to go to school or suddenly avoids activities
- Comes home with unexplained injuries or missing belongings
- Mood swings, trouble sleeping, or loss of appetite
- Avoiding friends or isolating themselves
- Drop in grades or interest in school
If something feels “off,” it’s always worth checking in. Our Westside counselors recommend talking to your child while you’re doing an activity together – like driving, walking, or tossing a ball in the yard. Many kids feel uncomfortable with sit-down conversations and may shut down. A casual, low-pressure activity can help them open up and feel more at ease.
How Parents Can Support Their Child
If you suspect your child is being bullied, your support can make all the difference. Start by listening without judgment and giving them space to share their story fully. Validate their feelings and remind them that bullying is never their fault. From there, you can practice possible responses together, such as role-playing how to walk away or respond with confidence.
It also helps to encourage positive friendships and connect your child with safe, supportive peer groups where they can feel included. Finally, do not hesitate to collaborate with the school. Teachers, counselors, and staff can be valuable partners in addressing the situation and keeping your child safe.
Westside offers child counseling for when a child needs professional intervention. If your child is often showing signs of anger, sadness, withdrawal, or overwhelming worry, it may be a good idea to connect with a counselor. We provide free and convenient phone consultations to help parents decide if counseling could be the right next step for their child.
When “Bullying” May Mean Something Else
Sometimes, when a child says they are being bullied, the situation is more complicated. It is important to take every concern seriously while also understanding the context. Children who are neurodivergent, autistic, or have social skill challenges may interpret certain social situations differently.
For example, a child might feel hurt if peers do not want to play the same game, or they may become frustrated when others do not follow their instructions. Struggles with flexibility, perspective-taking, or reading social cues can make normal disagreements feel like rejection or intentional exclusion. These experiences are real and upsetting for the child, but they may not always meet the definition of bullying.
Parents can help by gently exploring the situation, coaching their child on social skills and problem-solving, and partnering with teachers or therapists to provide guidance and support. The goal isn’t to dismiss your child’s experience, but to help them build resilience and confidence in handling tricky social moments.
Cyberbullying: A Growing Concern
With so much of kids’ lives happening online, cyberbullying has become a major concern. Unlike face-to-face bullying, it can happen anytime, anywhere, and often feels impossible to escape. Children may be bullied through social media platforms, group chats, text messages, gaming communities, or even by strangers online.
Sometimes the bullying takes the form of mean comments, name-calling, or spreading rumors. Other times it can look like exclusion from group chats, sharing embarrassing photos, or even impersonating an account to cause harm.
For parents, the first step is keeping an open line of communication about what their child is doing online and how it makes them feel. Encourage kids to talk about it if they see or experience hurtful behavior, even if they are worried it will make the situation worse. Remind them not to respond or retaliate, since that often fuels the bullying. Instead, help them save messages, take screenshots, block the person if necessary, and report the behavior to the platform or the school.
Digital Safety Tips for Parents
- Know the platforms your child is using and how they work. Take time to explore apps, games, and social media sites together.
- Set privacy settings to limit who can see your child’s profile, photos, and posts.
- Encourage “friend only” connections so they are interacting with people they know in real life.
- Check in regularly about their online experiences rather than “spying.” This helps maintain trust.
- Model healthy digital habits by taking breaks from screens yourself and discussing how to handle conflict online.
- Create a family tech plan that covers screen time limits, device-free zones (like mealtimes or bedtime), and rules for respectful online behavior.
Helpful Resources for Parents
If you would like to connect with one of our child counselors to learn more and determine whether counseling is the right fit for your child, please call us at (815) 469-1500 or click the link below to get started. We are here to support your family every step of the way.
