Although individuals with disabilities are at an increased risk of bullying, there
are limited studies investigating predictors of bullying involvement (Zablotsky,
Bradshaw, Anderson and Law, 2014). According to Roekel, Scholte, and
Didden (2010), there has been an increase in bullying involvement in 2010,
with reports individuals have either been a witness to bullying, a victim of
bullying, or the bully themselves. Often, ASD individuals do not interpret bullying
situations accurately, which is more than likely a result of their lack of understanding
of social contexts of what is considered friendly, non-aggressive behavior.

ASD and bullying, depression, and aggression

3

BULLYING AND SOCIAL

VULNERABILITY OF STUDENTS WITH

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Sarah Feuerbacher, Travis Moore and Hannah Gill

CASE STUDY: ERIK

Erik was a client enrolled in weekly group counseling with other individuals

with ASD. Erik enjoyed his life, his time in the group, and the friends he had

made in the group, regularly spending time playing video games with them

outside of group sessions. However, Erik frequently discussed how much he

struggled during severe bullying he endured when he was in high school. Erik

reported that he once threatened to tape a girl’s mouth shut because of her

frequent and intense bullying towards Erik. Erik also had a fascination with

everything related to the military, including weapons, fire, and death. As his

time in the group progressed, it became evident that Erik was increasingly

struggling with defining what was reality and what was imaginary as his fas-

cination became delusions, evidenced in group sessions when Erik described

graphic and vivid war scenes he insisted he experienced in real life.