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Teasing and bullying
Although
teasing and bullying can happen to anyone, parents of children with
epilepsy often report that their children are increasingly being
ridiculed by their peers. Although
abusive harassment should always be reported to school authorities,
dealing with less intense name calling can be a challenge.
Children
who enjoy bullying and teasing others derive satisfaction from seeing
their victims getting upset. Thus
if the child being teased can learn to control their feelings of
helplessness and not show they are upset, the teasers are not gaining
any reward for their behaviour and eventually stop.
However, it is not easy to pretend you are not upset and to be
patient until the perpetrator tires of ‘picking on you’.
Other strategies might be:
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Staying out of the way of the bully - not walking where they
‘hang out’ and staying in sight of teachers whenever possible.
Bullies don’t want to be caught.
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Helping the child to be positive about their achievements and
strengths to help develop a positive self-image which is less likely to
‘invite’ bullying.
•
Encouraging the child in activities they enjoy and having other
students teach
them skills and activities.
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Practicing a confident comeback; avoid letting the teaser/bully
sense fear and anxiety.
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Bringing the child to an understanding that it’s not only
epilepsy that engenders teasing. Pointing
out that everyone is different and other children are dealing with and
being teased for other problems may help a little as may explaining that
bullies are likely lacking in self-esteem.
•
Being open to the child’s concerns about seizures and also
bullying.
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Enlisting school intervention; organising a class presentation on
epilepsy so that children understand the condition and become more
accepting of it.
•
Teacher education; bringing teachers to an understanding and
acceptance of epilepsy and the attendant problems for a child.
• Developing an
anti-bullying policy at the school; creating an atmosphere in which
teasing and bullying are not tolerated.
This would involve rewarding respectful behaviour and thus
hopefully helping children to be more respectful.
Source:
Blair, S. ‘Teasing and Bullying: Helping Your Child with
Epilepsy Cope’, Epilepsy
USA
,
Vol. 7 2003.
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