I wonder if the people with these brain differences were more susceptible to bullying because of the social cues they express. So it's not bullying shaping brains, it's different types of brains get bullied more.
Perhaps they should look at the brains of bullies, too.
Naah, I was bullied heavily in school and have keenly observed those who get bullied. It is the one form the 'out group'.
I was bullied because I was the only kid in the group from a 'rival colony' and had 'helicopter-ish' parents.
Every bullied kid since was either: fat, ugly, new kid in town, disabled or something like that.
Can confirm about it being the odd one out. As one of maybe 5 white kids in my very poor school, I was bullied relentlessly from 6 to 12 years old. I was quite an effeminate kid too with long blonde hair. Soft, quiet and not nearly as athletic as the other kids. They were ruthless both verbally and physically. I'm now 29 years old, 6'4", 90kg and I lift 4x a week and _still_ have gddmn self confidence issues.
I am considering taking up martial arts in an attempt to break this subconscious mindset which I am almost positive was caused by years of bullying as a child.
It's the outcast like other folks are saying. It's just "different" - could be anything: small stature, sensitivity, socioeconomic status, race, religion, expressing that you enjoy learning, your mom sewing your clothes, whatever... If you're the minority of a population you're a target and putting it on "brain differences" makes me scoff.
You're just a rung on a social ladder that other people are willing to step on time and time again to make sure that they're not at the bottom.
Perhaps they should look at the brains of bullies, too.