For kids and adults with autism, bullying is far too common. At Autism Speaks, we are committed to changing the statistic that more than 60 percent of kids on the spectrum have experienced bullying at some point in their lives. Central to our mission is increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism, and we’re especially focused on this important work during October, National Bullying Prevention Month.

In this version of E-Speaks, hear personal stories from people on the spectrum about overcoming bullying and the importance of understanding your self-worth. The more the world understands what it means to be on the spectrum, the better it will be for every member of our diverse community! You’ll also get a firsthand look at our anti-bullying infogram and research suggesting how bullying can have life-or-death consequences for autistic teens.

In our own words: Raising awareness about bullying

Meet Anabeth, Noelle and Francisco three autistic people who share personal stories of overcoming bullying to reach their full potential.

Take a stand against bullying for National Bullying Prevention Month

Students with disabilities are much more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers and autistic children are especially vulnerable to bullying. Help us change that by knowing the facts! Swipe through our anti-bullying infogram to learn how you can help us to eradicate bullying for good.

Bullying linked to increased suicide risk in autistic teens

Researchers found that autistic teens who had been bullied were nearly twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts or behaviors within five years.