In the Eyes of Parents: The Impact of Bullying on the Lives of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Atse Libne Dingle School, Addis Ababa
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Date
2025-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explored the impact of bullying against students with Autism Spectrum Disorder as seen from the perspective of parents at Atse Libne Dingle School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This exploration aimed at grasping the effect of bullying against students through a qualitative research approach, and used phenomenological research design in descriptive form, that involved in-depth interviews of parents of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique, and a snowball sampling method to select participants. This study utilized qualitative analysis of data through ATLAS.ti software that aided in determining dominant themes emerging from in-depth interviews of parents of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the study's plan and criteria where students’ ages between 12 and 36 years. Based on analysis of data, it was noted that students with Autism Spectrum Disorder have been affected by bullying in terms of being victimized through words, physical attacks, emotional rejection, social isolation, and exclusion from schools. This affected them psychologically as they showed signs of being low in confidence, low in morale, lack of routines such as eating, playing, and speaking, while others showed signs of risking their lives through self-inflicted injuries or running away from home. Therefore, in order to have a profound effect against bullying of those students, multi-level approaches need to be implemented that will involve intense provision of inclusive education programs, anti-Bullying programs by schools, and organizing campaigns through parents’ associations as an aspect of implementing social responsibility strategy. As well as including a strong effort to end bullying at a democratic social setting and a communal setting as an aspect of social entrepreneurship to create a safe and respectful environment.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Bullying, Parental Perspective, Psychological Well-being, Inclusive Education, Ethiopia.
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Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Bullying, Parental Perspective, Psychological Well-being, Inclusive Education, Ethiopia.