Pop Quiz

The phrase “person who bullies” is preferred over “the bully.”

Answer: Yes.

Bullying is a behavior, not an identity, and behavior can and does change.

Students with disabilities are bullied at a higher rate than their non-disabled peers.

Answer: Yes.

Students with disabilities are bullied at a rate of 2 to 3 times more than their nondisabled peers. Statistics show that bullying happens to almost 75% of students with disabilities.

What is “person first” language?

Answer: Placing the person over their disability or difference

Person-first language involves prioritizing the personhood of an individual above any one individual characteristic. For example, you would say “a child with a disability” rather than “a disabled child.” By putting the person first, you acknowledge that one particular trait does not define him or her. This is to view them as a complex human being with many traits, talents, and desires. When someone is identified someone solely by a label or medical diagnosis, they are devalued as individuals.

Person first language can apply to other situations – as its important to describe what a person has, not what he or she is. For example, you would say “a man experiencing homelessness” rather than “a homeless man.”

How often will a bullying situation end when a peer intervenes?

Answer: 57%

Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. More than half of bullying situations (57 percent) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied.