SEN & Disability

Disabled young people and those with SEN (SEND), are significantly more likely to experience bullying - including online bullying - than their peers. Children who have learning disabilities and autism are particularly at risk.

Our research shows that 36% of pupils with SEND experience frequent bullying compared to 25% of those without SEND. ABA has worked to help schools reduce this bullying, often referred to as disablist bullying, since 2013 working with disabled young people to develop strategies and approaches that help to reduce disablist bullying. 

Take part in our free CPD online training course about SEND and bullying

  • Autism and bullying

    Bullying is an important issue for all pupils but children and young people with autism are particularly at risk.

    More

  • Deaf children and bullying

    ABA has supported the National Deaf Children's Society to develop three resources aimed at reducing bullying of deaf children and young people.

    More

  • Disablism in class

    ABA has worked in partnership to create six short films to support schools to challenge disablist bullying.

    More

  • Do children with SEND experience more bullying?

    Disabled young people and those with SEN (SEND), are significantly more likely to experience bullying - including online bullying - than their peers. Children who have learning disabilities and autism are particularly at risk. This page explores what the research says.

    More

  • Online bullying and SEN/disability

    Disabled children and those with special educational needs (SEN) are more likely to experience online bullying, less likely to be able to use the internet and less likely to have support to use the internet.

    More

  • Peer schemes and SEN/disability

    There is very little evidence about the impact of peer support schemes on reducing disablist bullying. We spoke with groups of disabled young people to help fill this gap.

    More

  • Teaching assistants and bullying

    ABA has written an anti-bullying guide based on the views of children and young people who receive support from teaching assistants.

    More

  • The local offer and bullying

    The Children and Families Act 2014 requires a Local Authority to produce a Local Offer that sets out what parent carers and children and young people with SEND can expect in their local area.

    More