Bullying

[ifIwasinvisiblewaitIalreadyam]

Hi All, I'm having some issues with my son at school. He's started to show some aggressive behaviour and lashing out at kids in his year. He has always been the kind of child that doesn't react with aggression unless pushed to it but this has changed recently. The trouble always seems to be with the same child in his year, that has been known to bully my son, but since it was sorted with the school my son has become to start the aggression first. I've had a phonecall today to say my son has lashed out without cause again today so has 3 lunchtime detentions, and he'll lose tv privileges at home too. I need some advice of how to explain bullying to him, he's 6 years old and is very very old headed (he's currently being assessed for the gifted and talented register, and I'm thinking also he has some autistic traits too). Any advice would be great, I don't want him becoming a bully or for him to experience it himself, a lot of his class know he is different (meaning his quirks and he's socially awkward). TIA for any advice you can give. I'm also working with the school to find ways to help him at home and school. XxX

I would definitely not take away his TV privileges. He's obviously unhappy and struggling and school is dealing with it...why make him pay at home too? That's overkill...he's only 6 and at that age, some children have not learned impulse control.

Explaining bullying can be done with a social story. Look at this link...it explains the difference between a bully and someone who is being bullied.

happylearners.info/social-stories/bullying.html

Read through it and then start a conversation with your son about what's been going on. You can read through the points and ask him if he thinks the descriptions are right...or does he think any of it is wrong?

His perception might be skewed. He could believe that because this boy bullied him...then he has a right to bully him also.