How can I help?

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I'm a teacher with several students with Asperger's Syndrome. Sometimes other students make fun or say or do unkind things because my students behave atypically. We have had many lessons, activites, and talks about how to stick up for ourselves. When my students are being bullied I want to wade in and make it better for them but more than anything I want to help them find their own personal power. I would be interested to hear from others in this community what they have found to be helpful in terms of dealing with bullying and learning to advocate for themselves. Has anyone had a teacher who did something that you found particularly useful or helpful?

I had a teacher who somehow managed to encourage/instill the belief that uniqueness, being lateral and fresh, rather than typical...is way more cool than fitting in with the flock...

No child should have to go through that hell, and don't tell me it isn't. I went through it, so I know! The ONLY correct answer is HOME SCHOOL!! !

I wish I had some advice or a magic bullet to solve this problem.

My personal guess is that you are already doing the right things. Just keep on doing what you are doing. Have faith that you have already made a big difference in some student's life.

Give them safe space and time to be themselves. Sometimes that's all it takes to have energy/ability to deal with others.

Make sure that anybody who bullies them is actually punished for it.

YES!

I also agree.

I have trouble expressing myself, therefore I would mentally stick up for myself, but be unable to do so verbally. You stepping in and interfering with the bulling would help, and it would help the students know that someone cares how others treat them. Stepping in when you see that behavior tells the student that you mean it when you say you do not like bullying, and that you do care, otherwise the teacher seemed like they did not care because their actions and words did not line up.

The teacher that inspired me the most gave me a place to eat lunch once a week. This got me out of the cafeteria with the noise and the bullying, and it allowed me to explore my interest in science (she was a science teacher). She also enforced the rules in a consistent manner, and all the rules were stated clearly (I have trouble with implied rules).

Even if it is hard for a student to stick up for themselves, because they have trouble expressing themselves, teach them how to escape the situation. Knowing that I could leave the person who was being mean and stand by an adult or a group of sympathetic students who would not allow the bulling was wonderful. It was not until late in college that I was able to speak up and ask a person to stop being mean in a socially acceptable way.

Yeah, nebrets is right; having a place to relax away from the social chaos can be so helpful. Let your Aspies into the library to eat lunch, for example; or let them out a little early or a little late so they can dodge the hallway crowds (but for goodness sakes warn them of any changes first so their schedules don't get out of whack). The less stress they have to deal with, the better they'll learn. Social skills are better learned in quiet, one-on-one settings anyway.

Thank you for your responses. I hope my students know my door is open for them. The mainstream teachers are aware that they are to be allowed to come to my room for some peace when they need it. Most of my students come in occasionally. Whenever anyone brings a report of bullying to me I take action. I don't tolerate bullying so there are always consequences but I also want to help my students gain enough confidence in themselves that the ignorance of others can't have any power over them.