Social isolation and harassment of children with disabilities are closely related problems that commonly occur in some schools and often both problems begin in school as children’s elementary school friends fade from others.

Children at school possess the tendency to mock differences, whether racial, economic or ability-related. At times you can predict that a child with a disability will be made fun of unless there are some things in those kids’ lives to counter this kind of habit.

Social isolation and harassment can harm each other without meaningful interaction with children with disabilities. Other children are more likely to make hurtful remarks based on stereotypes.

In return, faced with the threat of being teased, children with disabilities are less likely to assert themselves. Without deliberate interventions, the cycle can be endless and some times with extreme personal and academic consequences.

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