Would she be worse at a new school?

[LongDale]

Didn't know where to post this.

My sister is 13, year 9 at school. She has always been very anti-social since nursery. She has never been able to make friends. She has terrible self esteem issues. She is extremely quiet, nervous and shy. She is also extremely sensitive and tends to cry very easily.

She is also very overweight. She also walks oddly, throwing her feet outwards and then inwards making her appear to "waddle" rather than walk. So as you can imagine, the bullies have a field day with her due to a) her quiet nature b) her weight and c) the way she walks.

Now, because she doesn't look after herself at all (goes to school with greasy hair, sometimes smells and is not bothered about what she wears) kids at school say she is a lesbian.

Anyway, since the start of year 9 she has been wanting to stop off school all the time. She has already been off on 3 seperate occasions...all for a few days at a time plus a full week since september. She says its because she has no friends and is lonely at school, nobody bothers with her, when they do partner work she is always partnered with the teacher because the others don't want to partner with her.

She also has suspected aspergers syndrome.

My point is...my mum is considering putting her in a different school and moving house. My grandmother things this will make no difference to my sister as it is more her personality that is causing the problems, not the other kids (although she knows there is no excuse for bullying).

In your opinion, would things change at a new school or would she just take her problems with her?

[Tanee58]

Oh dear, I feel so sorry for your sister. She must feel very unhappy. I do think your mother should talk to her GP about the weight issue and possible asbergers, and see if there's a child therapy or counselling service that she could go to, or somewhere where she might learn some social skills. Just moving schools may not help. She needs to get some special needs help. Can your mother not make sure that she goes to school clean and well dressed, at least?

Poor girl. Kids can be very cruel at that age, so your family do need to seek advice and help for her, so it doesn't blight her life.