Guest: Dr. Christine Waanders, a psychologist specializing in bullying prevention, IEP advocacy, and mental health support for children, especially those with neurodivergent needs.
Summary:
In this episode, Dr. Christine Waanders, psychologist from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), joins Wendy Taylor to discuss the pressing issue of bullying among neurodivergent students. They explore how families and educators can support students facing social challenges and how to develop effective strategies through IEPs and social-emotional learning. Christine provides valuable tips on identifying bullying behaviors, advocating for a safe school environment, and fostering resilience in children. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of a strong parent-school collaboration and offers advice on how families can find emotional support for themselves. Dr. Waanders is part of the Aggression and Bullying Prevention pillar of CHOP’s Center for Violence Prevention (CVP). Access CVP’s free, evidence-based “All About Bullying” handouts for parents and caregivers at
https://violence.chop.edu.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Prevalence of bullying in neurodivergent vs. neurotypical students
- How to detect signs of bullying or distress in children
- Strategies for parents to ask the right questions and check in with their kids
- Empowering students with coping skills and IEP goals to handle bullying
- Crafting a “safety plan” for children within the IEP
- Collaboration between parents, schools, and mental health professionals
- Role of social-emotional learning programs in schools
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