Bullying is a serious issue affecting the mental/emotional health of many children all over the country. Bullying is defined as aggressive, repeated behaviour from one child, directed at another, and falls into three categories: verbal bullying (name calling, threatening), physical bullying and relational social bullying (excluding someone, leaving someone out deliberately etc.).
There are many different ways that people can be bullied, and many different reasons for the bullying. There are also many different ‘reasons’ why children get picked on by bullies, but whatever these reasons, the end result is the same: damage to their emotional wellness and wellbeing.
Children who have ADHD are often targets of bullying because of their impulsive behaviour and lack of social skills. Studies have shown that children with ADHD are more likely to be victims of bullying than those without the disorder, and are also at risk of becoming bullies themselves.
Your child may be being bullied if you notice that their behaviour has changed, such as them eating less or more, and if they seem more sad and anxious than before. They may also have physical injuries or lose personal items, and they may seem to be ill more often than before. Low grades and a lack of interest in social situations are also classic signs.
The best thing you can do if you suspect your child has become a victim of bullying is to speak to them about the situation. Hopefully, your child will open up to you about what has been occurring, but if they are reluctant to talk about it (which is common in children with and without ADHD) then contact their teacher or school counsellor and speak to them in confidence. Ask them to address the problem, and if you feel that after a period of time it has not been appropriately dealt with, contact the police. Your child may also need lots of support and perhaps some counselling to help them deal with their experience.
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