LAUSR

Abstract Background Children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be vulnerable to social isolation and bullying victimisation. We investigated frequency and types of bullying and its association with severity of ASD. Method We compared bullying victimisation and perpetration levels between children with ASD (n = 45), those with mild intellectual disability (ID) (n = 40) and typically-developing (TD) children (n = 46). Children receiving formal education as inclusive students in primary or secondary schools in Ankara were included in the ASD and ID groups. Results Both the ASD and ID groups experienced more victimisation through verbal and emotional bullying than the TD group. There was no significant difference in the frequency of bullying perpetration between the groups. All groups were victimised mostly by their own male classmates and in the absence of their teacher from the classroom. There was a positive correlation between bullying victimisation and severity of ASD. Conclusions Teachers, parents, and physicians should take responsibility to protect children with special needs against peer bullying, as their risk for peer bullying is higher than for TD children.