In the modern world, getting trolled by kids mainly teenagers have been a very common behavior. Some take this trolling as joke and don’t bother, but to some this troll ruins their life. Trolling or intentionally annoying others for laughter can result in several different ways. This behavior is mainly directed towards the autistic adults. In this article, we will explore the causes that why autistic adults are trolled by kids along with processes that can promote the overall society.
Understanding Autism
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental condition that affects the overall recognition of individuals about the world and how they interact with others. People with autism may have difficulties with communication, social interactions, and sensory processing. While each autistic individual has unique experiences and challenges, common characteristics can include a preference for routine, sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and varying degrees of social communication difficulties.
The Nature of Trolling
Trolling can be done in many different ways. This can range from playful teasing to complete bullying. This can also occur by the desire to take power over others, seek attention or just to entertain the others by degrading others. These behaviors can be adopted by children due to various factors, that includes developmental stages, social environments and learned behaviors.
Reasons Why Kids Troll Autistic Adults
The trolling can be because of the following factors like:
Lack of Understanding
Many children do not fully know about the autism and also the challenges faced by the autistic people. Therefore, they just tease them because they are different from the autistic adults. This lack of knowledge makes their behavior mean and trolling. In this way they mock and tease the autistic individuals out of their misunderstanding about them.
Desire for Attention
Kids look for the attention from their fellows. This attention leads them to perform such tasks that include bad behavior and non-sense attitude. Some children engage in trolling just to test the limits, that how far their behavior is acceptable by the adults. Moreover, kids also do not have a complete hold on their emotions that leads to their actions.
Peer Influence
children are highly inspired by each other including their fellows and the people they are surrounded by. If a group finds it fun to tease autistic adults, others would also find this fun and will join them. This influence makes them forget about their teachings and also decreases the individual’s understanding about such thing happening to them.
Insecurity
Sometimes the children who feel insecure and unconfident about themselves, lash out on others to defend themselves. This targeting makes them feel more powerful and controlling. But this power is for a short time until their in secureness comes back.
Mimicking Adult Behavior
Children mostly mimic the behavior performed by their adults including teachers, parents and other family members. Is the adults show rude behavior towards the autistic individuals, then it ultimately leads to the trolling by their own children.
Social Experimentation
During childhood days, kids explore the social boundaries and also try to understand the society. They may engage in the trolling as a way to know about their limits. This leads them to understand about the society rules in the early age.
Misinterpretation of Social Cues
Autistic adults often communicate and act in ways that are different from the normal neurotypical expectations. This can lead the children to misunderstand these differences which ultimately leads to the trolling behavior.
Curiosity
Kids are naturally curious about the things happening around them, difference in communication styles and behavior makes them curios. This curiosity leads them to troll others about their way of communicating if their adults don’t answer about this misunderstanding.
The Impact of Trolling
The results of trolling can be crucial for the autistic adults. This behavior can lead to emotional distress, anxiety and isolated feelings among the autistic individuals, by being targeted in this way. Many autistic individuals mainly adults face these challenges in social situations that leads to negative and disturbed mental health. Addressing these trolling is an important step in this regard.
How to Address Trolling
By Education
Education is the main source of providing information regarding autism to the young generation. Teaching children about autism and the challenging experiences that autistic people face is an important step. Therefore, introducing this subject to the students can make a healthy society for the people having autism.
By Encouraging Empathy
It is the prime responsibility of parents as well as the educators to encourage children about their behavior towards others. Discussions, role-playing activities and exercises can help to highlight the feelings that can show sympathy towards such autistic individuals.
Modeling Positive Behavior
Adults should develop a positive and respectful behavior. By demonstrating kindness, patience and understanding, they can guide children to develop the similar attitude.
Open Communication
Parents should allow their children to ask about their queries and misunderstandings. Feeling safe around their parents, offers them open communication, by which they adopt clear and thoughtful ways to engage with others.
Intervention
If a child trolls someone, it; the responsibility of parents to intervene and address the behavior. Not addressing such rude behavior can be harmful for both, the child and the victim.
Promoting Inclusion
Schools and societies should work hard to create an overall environment where the autistic individuals are included in the social activities. This exposure will normalize the differences between autistic and normal people, and will also promote friendships based on understandings.
Conclusion
Trolling of autistic adults by children is a complex issue that takes place due to misunderstandings. By addressing the above-mentioned points, the people in the society can work together to reduce such behavior. It is also important to promote a culture full of kindness and understanding, that will ensure that everyone is treated with respect and nobleness regarding of their differences. By making such efforts, we can help in creating a healthy society and ultimately an overall healthy world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
What does it mean to troll someone?
Trolling refers to the act of intentionally triggering or upsetting someone for laughter or to obtain a reaction. This can happen in person or online and can range from light teasing to more aggressive bullying.
Why do some kids target autistic adults?
Kids may target autistic adults due to a lack of understanding about autism, the desire for attention, peer influence, or insecurity. They might also misinterpret social cues or behaviors that are different from their own.
How can teasing effect autistic adults?
easing can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation for autistic adults. It can exacerbate existing challenges in social situations and negatively affect their mental health.
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