Know your and your child’s rights

As a parent of a child with disabilities, it’s important to know the state and federal laws and resources specifically designed for your child’s situation. Parents have legal rights when their child with a disability is the target of bullying or harassment related to their disability.

Involve your child’s IEP or 504 team

Tools like an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan can be used to develop strategies for bullying prevention that take into consideration your child’s disability, their social skills, the environment around them, and more. If your child does not have an IEP or 504 plan, you can still help by constructing a plan together with a team of caring adults at school to work on similar bullying prevention goals and strategies.

Explore advocacy and self-advocacy options

Talking about bullying and its emotional aspects, being a part of the solution, and weighing the impact of different responses are important steps toward helping your child become a better advocate for themselves and others.

Work with the school

School staff spend a lot of time with their students and are often able to see how they interact with peers, notice patterns in behavior, and recognize classroom dynamics. Establishing a collaborative relationship with the staff at your child’s school is an important step in advocating for your child.