The Anti-Bullying Law

The Anti-Bullying bill supported by MAC was incorporated into the highly-publicized Anti-Bullying Act – Chapter 92 An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools signed by the Governor on May 3, 2010. The law ensures that IEP Teams address bullying of children on the autism spectrum, specifically focusing on the skills necessary to help individual children avoid and respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing. Requiring IEP teams to address bullying as it impacts individual students with ASD, coupled with provisions requiring school-wide bullying prevention programs, will help to work towards effectively mitigating the instances and effects of bullying for children with autism.

MAC conducted an online survey to document the extent of bullying of children on the autism spectrum in Massachusetts schools. The responses were overwhelming, as parents across Massachusetts courageously shared their children’s heart wrenching experiences. Their stories inspired MAC to publish Targeted, Taunted, Tormented: The Bullying of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which, along with the heartfelt testimony of parents and others at the legislative hearing, was instrumental in gaining the support of legislators for the autism anti-bullying bill.

The legislature responded to MAC’s advocacy, and the law addresses the needs of children with other types of disabilities as well. Specifically, the IEP must address skills needed to avoid and respond to bullying for all children with a disability that affects their social skills development or that otherwise makes them vulnerable to bullying, harassment or teasing.

MAC led statewide advocacy efforts providing input to DESE to ensure that the Department’s Technical Advisory and the Department’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Resource Guide will help schools with implementation of the bullying prevention law. The Guidance document provides an integrated approach, consisting of whole school efforts to create safe and supportive school environments, as outlined in the DESE Model Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, and the individual supports provided through the IEP process that will build students’ skill and proficiencies to avoid and respond to bullying.