Victimization of students with autism spectrum disorder: A review of prevalence and risk factors

• Studies examining prevalence of victimization of youth with ASD are summarized.
• Victimization rates are alarmingly high; rates ranged by informant and time period.
• Studies on factors related to the victimization of youth with ASD are synthesized.
• Both individual and contextual factors have been linked to victimization.

Bullying is a serious problem among school-aged youth. Research suggests students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are overrepresented as victims within the bullying dynamic. This review synthesizes 21 articles involving prevalence rates of victimization of school-age youth with ASD and factors related to the victimization of youth with ASD. Prevalence studies suggest students with ASD are frequent victims of bullying with victimization rates ranging by study methodology. Studies reporting factors related to the victimization of students with ASD include individual (i.e., characteristics of ASD, social vulnerability, behavior problems, disability, race, academic achievement, and age of student) and contextual (i.e., educational setting, school transportation, parental mental health, parental engagement and confidence, family socioeconomic status, and social support from peers and friendship) factors. Strategies for prevention and intervention are posed. Limitations and directions for future inquiry are addressed.