Mother reveals how bullies left her autistic son with facial trauma
'We need to protect our students from bullying'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Colorado-based mother has spoken out about the horrific bullying her 11-year-old son suffers at school on a regular basis.
Ashley Bibbo’s son has high-functioning autism and has been repeatedly assaulted by bullies at school who have left him with lacerations and bruises on his face.
After writing about her son’s tragic experiences in a heartbreaking Facebook post, Bibbo’s story has been widely shared online, with fellow parents offering their condolences and support.
Bibbo explained that most people who interact with her son wouldn’t recognise that he was autistic thanks to her mindful parenting.
However, she revealed that he often struggles to respond to social situations and that this has only exacerbated the extent at which he has been bullied.
“This year, my child has continually dealt with bullies that have been cruel and relentless,” she wrote.
“I have been in contact with the school every week due to incidents involving him and other boys.
“These situations can be typical for children with HFA, who can struggle to interact appropriately and read social cues, may invade others space, have aggressive tendencies and act impulsively when they face rejection from peers.”
One incident in particular, on 3 October, left her son with severe facial trauma however, the school failed to record the incident.
She explained that she had struggled to get in touch with a senior member of staff to address the situation.
“After a few more incidents and an aggressive situation in November, I was finally told the woman in charge had resigned, and I was put in contact with the person taking over her caseload.
"I called and left messages with no response."
He was assaulted again on 6 December by four students, one of whom was allegedly also filming the incident, Bibbo revealed.
“When the staff intervened, they attempted to deescalate him in all the wrong ways - they had no guidance on his triggers or calming tactics that work for him, because there was nothing on record, despite all of my work and advocacy.
“Heartbreakingly, he was restrained by security which only further escalated the situation and made him feel as though he was at fault.”
Bibbo is urging fellow parents to share her story in the hope that it will raise awareness for his condition and the extent at which bullying can go unmonitored by schools.
“We can do better,” she wrote.
“We have to do better in order to raise a generation of productive, well-adjusted children.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments