Students with autism are more likely than their neurotypical peers to become the targets of bullying behavior (PACER). When the relational aggression is specific to the student’s disability, it can be deemed disability harassment. Disability harassment is a violation of three federal laws: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).

It's a busy month for Good Friend, Inc. - and with good reason. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. While Good Friend's autism awareness-acceptance-empathy services for staff and students aren't specifically about bullying, they are intended to prevent disability harassment. So for as long as there isn't a Disability Harassment Prevention Month, we'll piggyback on the bullying movement.