I’m concerned

[Anonymous]

Hi all. I’m concerned that DD 6 is being bullied. For context she wears glasses and has sort of a funny affect. Additionally she sort of limps when she walks, not due to any sort of disability, simply the way she moves. She has told me that the other kids in her first grade class have been imitating her voice, comparing her looks to a frog’s, and I’m concerned this will take a turn towards physical bullying. How do I step in and prevent this.

[Anonymous]

I fear it’s too late to prevent this. Either move you’re daughter to a different school or resign yourselves to a difficult year.

[Anonymous]

Yah I feel I may move schools

[Anonymous]

Maybe she needs PT to learn to walk properly. Voice coach for talking from the diaphragm?

I disagree with switching schools - then a new crop of kids will make fun of her. Nothing about HER will be different.

[Anonymous]

Try to get better glasses that flatter her face.

There are a lot of ugly frames out there.

But these days glasses are way more fashionable then when I was a kid.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely let teacher/principal know, so the school can step in to help, those name calling and imitating all count as bullying.

[Anonymous]

Help this kid. She should not be limping. Get some PT, get better glasses, help her with social skills.

She's already being bullied and it's not ok

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help this kid. She should not be limping. Get some PT, get better glasses, help her with social skills.

She's already being bullied and it's not ok

I agree. Especially with the PT. That could get worse as she ages. Two of my grandkids wear glasses and they look awesome in them. They do not look like little kid glasses.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by "funny affect?" And what tests and specialists have you gone to, to determine that there's no disability? A child should not be limping with no explanation.

[Anonymous]

What kind of funny affect? Why does she limp? Froggy voice?
Get physical therapy assessment, speech therapy. Maybe ENT eval if croaky is due to hearing loss or throat dripping.
These are physical things that can be addressed.

[Anonymous]

I am less concerned about the bullying and more concerned that you may be in denial that something may be wrong with your kid? That is a lot of issues for a 6 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by "funny affect?" And what tests and specialists have you gone to, to determine that there's no disability? A child should not be limping with no explanation.

I hate to say this OP, but this sounds just like my DD, whom we got late diagnosis on: ASD/ADHD/Anxiety disorder, etc. A peculiar walk is common in spectrum kids - she toe-walked, for example - that is a classic example. Her voice is a monotone - also classic symptom, etc. Our peditrician completely missed the autism. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Move schools

[Anonymous]

OP, do NOT move schools. That won’t solve the problem. Not to pile on but get her help asap. Start with OT and speech evals. Early intervention is key. You can start with your pediatrician. Make sure to describe the issues AND how they are impacting her life negatively at school.

Also, role play how to behave when someone makes fun of you. There are plenty of ways to neutralize this, you can find one that works with her personality (humor, snark, pitying laugh, mock concern over why they’d say something like that).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help this kid. She should not be limping. Get some PT, get better glasses, help her with social skills.

She's already being bullied and it's not ok

I agree. Especially with the PT. That could get worse as she ages. Two of my grandkids wear glasses and they look awesome in them. They do not look like little kid glasses.

+1 but also, please tell the teacher! I work in a 1st grade classroom. If this wasn't something on our radar yet, we would address it immediately.