Massachusetts lawmakers are moving forward on legislation mandating that schoolchildren with autism be trained to deal with bullying.
The effort comes after a survey released last year found that 9 in 10 children with autism in the state experienced bullying at school.
In addition to requiring training for students with autism, the anti-bullying measure now under consideration by Massachusetts legislators would outlaw bullying at school, at related events and via school computers. The legislation would also require schools to establish plans to prevent bullying and intervene if it does occur.
Further, the proposed law goes so far as to prohibit bullying conducted in person or online outside of school, but which “affects the school environment.”
The bill passed through a legislative committee Tuesday and is now headed to the state Senate for consideration, reports The Boston Globe. To read more click here.
Bullying has gone on for too long and most often with the awareness of educators who say, “kids will be kids…there is nothing that we can do about it.” Bullying results in lifelong and devastating emotional consequences for those on the receiving end, and I applaud any attempt to address and put in place programs and services to help children and educators deal with the problem.
However, aligning the language of statute to address only children with autism, and ignore other children with disabilities, or typical children (who may be obese, or any of a host of things that bullies focus on)is so misguided. We need comprehensive anti-bullying programs, not restrictive eligibility legislation that will only help those with ASD.