- Is there an imbalance of power?
- Did it happen more than once?
- Is it intentional?
- Does it cause physical, social or emotional harm?
How do you know it is bullying?
Bullying of children with hearing loss is common. It does not only take place in mainstream schools. There are significant reports of children who use cochlear implants being bullied in schools for the deaf. As a result, it is not unusual for a child to refuse to use a cochlear implant when in school.
- Sudden refusal to go to school, or reduced interest in school
- Change in academic performance
- Reduced interest in school or after school activities or family activities
- Appears angry, sad, or depressed
- Decreased interest in some or all friends
- Refusal to wear technology
- Do you know what bullying behavior is?
- Does your school have a bullying program?
- How does your schools program work?
- Have you every observed anyone being bullied?
- Has anyone ever bullied you?
- If yes, what did you do about it? Who did you tell? What did they do?
Frequently, parents do not know that their child is being bullied. The child often sees the bullying as their weakness and does not want to discuss it, even with family.
If you discover that a child has been or is being bullied, you should notify the appropriate authorities and tell the parents and then the school. If there are social work services available in your facility, the social worker may be able to make the school contact and facilitate bringing things out in the open. If not, you should look for somebody else who can help.
By assisting children deal with bulling in a constructive fashion, you can help to be successful in school and succeed as adults.