Suicide of a 10-Year Old Girl

My reaction to an African-American student on the Autism Spectrum taking her own life is abject disbelief and shock. How can feelings of despair reach such God-awful levels in a 10-year old that no one notices or reaches out to help? What warning signs were missed? Or worse, what culture of bullying wasn't addressed in her school or life? The death of any child is a tragedy no matter the age, and this one has me thinking about how kids on the spectrum are particularly prone to being bullied, ostracized, or ignored by their peers and sometimes teachers.

So what will I do--use this as a reminder to reach out to the kids in my 2 classes who I haven't formed much of a connection with. Take the time to compliment them in the hallway before class on specifics that I appreciate in my boys. I think of names when I type this. I have students in biology and environmental science who I'm not very close to...they could probably benefit by me reaching out. It's sometimes the small connections (maintained...not just once or twice) that leave students feeling valued or just even seen and appreciated. Click the link below to read more about this special person who sadly ended her life.

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2021/11/12/when-bullied-utah-girl/