GITNUXREPORT 2025

Autism Bullying Statistics

Half of autistic children face bullying, impacting mental health and social inclusion.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Studies show that up to 75% of children with autism have experienced bullying at some point

Statistic 2

Children with autism are 3 times more likely to be bullied than their neurotypical peers

Statistic 3

70% of children with autism have been called names or insulted

Statistic 4

Boys with autism are twice as likely to be bullied as girls

Statistic 5

80% of students with autism report hearing negative comments about their abilities

Statistic 6

Children with autism are 4 times more likely to be involved in bullying incidents either as victims or perpetrators

Statistic 7

65% of adolescents with autism report being teased or ridiculed

Statistic 8

68% of parents note increased anxiety in their children after instances of bullying

Statistic 9

Only 24% of bullying cases against children with autism are reported or addressed by school staff

Statistic 10

30% of children with autism perceive themselves as different from peers, making them more vulnerable to bullying

Statistic 11

Schools with anti-bullying policies have reduced bullying incidents against children with autism by 20%

Statistic 12

41% of children on the spectrum have experienced exclusion from group activities due to bullying

Statistic 13

Autism-related social skill deficits can cause misunderstandings that lead to bullying, according to 60% of educators

Statistic 14

Children with autism are often misunderstood, which increases their risk of being targeted by bullies

Statistic 15

The prevalence of bullying among children with autism is highest in middle school, at 70%

Statistic 16

48% of children with autism experience repeated bullying incidents, making it a persistent issue

Statistic 17

65% of teachers report that bullying incidents are underreported among students with autism

Statistic 18

Approximately 50% of children with autism are bullied at school

Statistic 19

64% of youth with autism report being bullied in school

Statistic 20

87% of parents report that their child with autism has faced bullying

Statistic 21

Up to 45% of children with autism who are bullied experience depression

Statistic 22

60% of children with autism report that bullying has affected their mental health

Statistic 23

Nearly 40% of students with autism experience physical bullying

Statistic 24

55% of children with autism have been excluded from activities due to bullying

Statistic 25

Children with autism are more likely to be targeted for cyberbullying, with 52% experiencing online harassment

Statistic 26

49% of children with autism report frequent bullying on social media platforms

Statistic 27

Up to 29% of children with autism have experienced physical violence as a result of bullying

Statistic 28

Adolescents with autism who experience bullying are 2.5 times more likely to develop suicidal thoughts

Statistic 29

Children with autism experience higher rates of peer rejection, which correlates with increased bullying

Statistic 30

37% of children with autism have been physically assaulted during school hours

Statistic 31

53% of teenagers with autism say bullying negatively impacts their friendships

Statistic 32

Children with autism are more likely to be victimized by classmates with behavioral problems

Statistic 33

46% of children with autism report sensory issues that increase their vulnerability to bullying

Statistic 34

76% of bullied children with autism report feeling isolated and depressed afterward

Statistic 35

28% of children with autism have been physically harmed due to bullying, including hitting and pushing

Statistic 36

Children with autism who experience bullying often withdraw from social interactions, reducing their peer relationships

Statistic 37

63% of children with autism have experienced social exclusion as a form of bullying

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Key Highlights

Approximately 50% of children with autism are bullied at school
Studies show that up to 75% of children with autism have experienced bullying at some point
64% of youth with autism report being bullied in school
Children with autism are 3 times more likely to be bullied than their neurotypical peers
87% of parents report that their child with autism has faced bullying
70% of children with autism have been called names or insulted
Up to 45% of children with autism who are bullied experience depression
Boys with autism are twice as likely to be bullied as girls
60% of children with autism report that bullying has affected their mental health
Nearly 40% of students with autism experience physical bullying
80% of students with autism report hearing negative comments about their abilities
Children with autism are 4 times more likely to be involved in bullying incidents either as victims or perpetrators
65% of adolescents with autism report being teased or ridiculed

Did you know that nearly 75% of children with autism have faced bullying at some point, highlighting a pervasive and urgent issue that deeply affects their mental health and well-being?

Bullying and Social Challenges in Children with Autism

Studies show that up to 75% of children with autism have experienced bullying at some point
Children with autism are 3 times more likely to be bullied than their neurotypical peers
70% of children with autism have been called names or insulted
Boys with autism are twice as likely to be bullied as girls
80% of students with autism report hearing negative comments about their abilities
Children with autism are 4 times more likely to be involved in bullying incidents either as victims or perpetrators
65% of adolescents with autism report being teased or ridiculed
68% of parents note increased anxiety in their children after instances of bullying
Only 24% of bullying cases against children with autism are reported or addressed by school staff
30% of children with autism perceive themselves as different from peers, making them more vulnerable to bullying
Schools with anti-bullying policies have reduced bullying incidents against children with autism by 20%
41% of children on the spectrum have experienced exclusion from group activities due to bullying
Autism-related social skill deficits can cause misunderstandings that lead to bullying, according to 60% of educators
Children with autism are often misunderstood, which increases their risk of being targeted by bullies
The prevalence of bullying among children with autism is highest in middle school, at 70%
48% of children with autism experience repeated bullying incidents, making it a persistent issue
65% of teachers report that bullying incidents are underreported among students with autism

Bullying and Social Challenges in Children with Autism Interpretation

Despite widespread awareness and anti-bullying policies, the startling statistic that up to 75% of children with autism experience bullying—often unreported and fueled by misunderstanding—underscores the urgent need for genuine empathy, comprehensive education, and proactive intervention to protect these uniquely vulnerable students.

Experiences and Consequences of Bullying Among Youth with Autism

Approximately 50% of children with autism are bullied at school
64% of youth with autism report being bullied in school
87% of parents report that their child with autism has faced bullying
Up to 45% of children with autism who are bullied experience depression
60% of children with autism report that bullying has affected their mental health
Nearly 40% of students with autism experience physical bullying
55% of children with autism have been excluded from activities due to bullying
Children with autism are more likely to be targeted for cyberbullying, with 52% experiencing online harassment
49% of children with autism report frequent bullying on social media platforms
Up to 29% of children with autism have experienced physical violence as a result of bullying
Adolescents with autism who experience bullying are 2.5 times more likely to develop suicidal thoughts
Children with autism experience higher rates of peer rejection, which correlates with increased bullying
37% of children with autism have been physically assaulted during school hours
53% of teenagers with autism say bullying negatively impacts their friendships
Children with autism are more likely to be victimized by classmates with behavioral problems
46% of children with autism report sensory issues that increase their vulnerability to bullying
76% of bullied children with autism report feeling isolated and depressed afterward
28% of children with autism have been physically harmed due to bullying, including hitting and pushing
Children with autism who experience bullying often withdraw from social interactions, reducing their peer relationships
63% of children with autism have experienced social exclusion as a form of bullying

Experiences and Consequences of Bullying Among Youth with Autism Interpretation

With nearly half of children with autism facing bullying—both offline and online—it's no wonder that many are left feeling isolated and overwhelmed, highlighting an urgent need for increased awareness, understanding, and intervention to protect their mental health and social well-being.