Bullying among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: prevalence and perception.
This study examined: (a) the prevalence of bullying and victimization among adolescents with ASD, (b) whether they correctly perceived bullying and victimization, and (c) whether Theory of Mind (ToM) and bullying involvement were related to this perception. Data were collected among 230 adolescents with ASD attending special education schools. We found prevalence rates of bullying and victimization between 6 and 46%, with teachers reporting significantly higher rates than peers. Furthermore, adolescents who scored high on teacher- and self-reported victimization were more likely to misinterpret non-bullying situations as bullying. The more often adolescents bullied, according to teachers and peers, and the less developed their ToM, the more they misinterpreted bullying situations as non-bullying. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
van Roekel
Eeske
E
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. g.vanroekel@pwo.ru.nl
Scholte
Ron H J
RH
Didden
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056345:Theory of Mind; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult