Bullying Prevention and Intervention Strategies for Children with Disabilities

This research project aims to examine the prevalence of bullying among children with disabilities and identify effective prevention and intervention strategies. It explores the impact of bullying on learning ability and assesses the risks and practice factors. The research will be conducted through an exploratory design and analyzed using thematic analysis. The objective is to understand the special needs of children with disabilities and ascertain measures for prevention and intervention.

RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM
Research Project Description
The present study is being conducted to examine the prevalence of bullying
specifically among the children with disabilities. It has been observed that these
children who are suffering from disability in physical, intellectual, sensory or
emotional form are being prone to bullying at an increased rate. In accordance to the
common belief these children are considered vulnerable and challenged to face social
norms as well as practices. The bullying which these children are made to go through
can vary from a range of activities. Some of the common ways of bullying are making
fun of their disabilities or incompetence to undertake various tasks. In consequence to
this increased insensitivity these special children suffer serious repercussions which
could have a significant impact on their respective health. Thus, the need to explore
and identify various forms of interventions arises. Moreover, it has also been
identified that the subject still remains unexplored.
Research Aims and Objectives
The primary aim with which the researcher is conducting the present study is “To
ascertain bullying prevention and intervention strategies for children with disabilities”
and further “To assess its prevalence and identify risks as well as practice factors”. In
order to effectively fulfil the ascertained aims, the researcher shall undertake the
research to fulfil the following objectives:
 To understand the special needs of children with disability.
 To understand the impact which bullying causes on the learning ability of a
child.
 To ascertain different measures for prevention of bullying among children
with disabilities.
 To ascertain strategies being adopted for intervention in cases of bullying
children with disabilities.
 To assess the prevalence of bullying among children with disabilities
 To ascertain the risks and repercussions of bullying among children with
disability
Literature Review
As stated by Swearer and et. al. (2012) bullying can be characterized as an aggressive
behaviour which is intentionally inflicted on others by exercising power and strength
which is not balanced in nature. This is an activity which is exercised by persons who
purportedly occupy a position which is dominant in nature. This concept shall be
distinguished from the concept of conflict which essentially is a disagreement
between two or more persons, but for it to amount bullying it shall be accompanied by
imbalance of power. It may be undertaken through various modes which could be
either by making fun of others by hitting them or in such manner which causes

physical or mental harassment of the other person. Furthermore, it has been observed
by Sentenac and et. al. (2011) that children who are suffering from disability are
prone to bullying at an increased rate. Disability could be in physical, intellectual,
sensory or emotional form The primary rationale behind an increased rate among
disabled children is that the confidence level is very low and thus, increases the
vulnerability level of this category of children. The bullying which these children are
made to go through can vary from a range of activities. Some of the common
instances of bullying are making fun of their disabilities or incompetence to undertake
various tasks. In consequence to this increased insensitivity these special children
suffer serious repercussions which could have a significant impact on their respective
health. on the other hand it is argued by Rose and et. al. (2011) that some able people
have the tendency to enjoy infliction of undue and unfair treatment on others who are
in some or the other way weak. In order to cater to this issue Maag and Katsiyannis
(2012) has observed that there is requirement for the guardians to intervene in the
situation and implement corrective measures. One of the strategies which can be
implemented to prevent occurrence of these measures are separation of these children
from other normal children in schools and such other institutes. However, this
approach has been contrasted by Rose and Monda-Amaya (2012) to state that
habitation of these people in isolation shall hamper their overall growth and mental
capacity to face varied situation in life.
Research Methodology
The entire research shall be undertaken on the basis of exploratory design, which shall
further enable to enhance the effectiveness of the entire process. With the assistance
of this design a systematic and highly structured plan shall be developed at the
preliminary stage. The nature of research shall be descriptive in nature to ascertain the
trends and prevalence of bullying among children with disabilities. In order to
conduct research in a diversified manner, secondary sources shall be used for
gathering reliable and authentic information. Furthermore, the data so collected shall
be analyzed on the basis of thematic analysis.

REFERENCES
Maag, J. W. and Katsiyannis, A., 2012. Bullying and students with disabilities: Legal and
practice considerations. Behavioral Disorders. pp. 78-86.
Rose, C. A. and et. al., 2011. Bullying and victimization among students in special education
and general education curricula.
Rose, C. A. and Monda-Amaya, L. E., 2012. Bullying and victimization among students with
disabilities: Effective strategies for classroom teachers. Intervention in School and
Clinic. 48 (2). pp. 99-107.
Sentenac, M. and et. al., 2011. Victims of bullying among students with a disability or
chronic illness and their peers: a cross-national study between Ireland and
France. Journal of Adolescent Health. 48 (5). pp. 461-466.
Swearer, S.M. and et. al., 2012. Understanding the bullying dynamic among students in
special and general education. Journal of School Psychology, 50 (4). pp. 503-520.
Young, J., Ne’eman, A. and Gelser, S., 2011. Bullying and students with disabilities.
In Proceeding from Whitehouse Conference on Bullying Prevention.

ETHICS APPROVAL FORM
Title of the Project
Bullying prevention and intervention strategies for children with disabilities
Assessing its prevalence and identifying risk and practice factors
Objectives
 To understand the impact which bullying causes on the learning ability of a
child.
 To ascertain different measures for prevention of bullying among children
with disabilities.
 To ascertain strategies being adopted for intervention in cases of bullying
children with disabilities.
 To assess the prevalence of bullying among children with disabilities
Proposed Research Methodology
The entire research shall be undertaken on the basis of exploratory design, which
shall further enable to enhance the effectiveness of the entire process. With the
assistance of this design a systematic and highly structured plan shall be
developed at the preliminary stage. The nature of research shall be descriptive in
nature to ascertain the trends and prevalence of bullying among children with
disabilities. In order to conduct research in a diversified manner, secondary
sources shall be used for gathering reliable and authentic information.
Furthermore, the data so collected shall be analyzed on the basis of thematic
analysis.