my Dad thinks my daughter will definatly be bullied at school.

[mummyloveslucy]

I went to see my Dad today, and we were chatting about my daughter who has a speech disorder and developmental delays. I told him about her forth comming acessment meeting etc.
He then said that I should think about getting her into a martial art/ self defence club. I thought this sounded funny, as she's not even 5 yet and is a very gentle, girly girl. I said I couldn't see her doing it and that I'd be worried she'd get hurt. He said "well you'll need to do something to stop her being bullied at school, as she's bound to be at some point". I felt quite angry and sad at the same time. I said that things had changed since he was at school, but he said that children are still the same and can be very cruel to anyone they see as being different. I don't think there'd be any chance of her being physically bullied, and part of me thinks he's talking rubbish, but could he have a point?

Haven't read the whole thread
but just thought I would jump in.
Have worked with SN children, and have found mainly that the other Dc in the classroom are very helpful, and almost protective of a child who is obviously vunerable( and this is in comp)
Not saying that this is always the case, and I am sure that children with SN do get bullied, and if i were you, i'm sure i'd have a niggle as well.
However, as had been said already bullies will always find children who they deem to be 'different'and single them out, whether they are ginger, tall/short, beautiful clever, wear glasses,-you know the drill.
Good luck with your dc. I hope it all goes ok.

There is a lot of bullying that goes on in schools unfortunately - all schools have anti-bullying policies but many are not worth the paper they are written off.

You are very right to be concerned and watchful for this but any child can be bullied. Helping out in the classroom regularly is good for boosting your child's confidence and staying abreast of what is going on at school.

Your dd is certainly not "bound to be bullied at some point" but unfortunately you are wrong in thinking that there is no chance that she will experience physical bullying.

Be mindful, make sure you know if it is happening and take action to help her if she is bullied, but don't assume that her SN will make her a particular target. I was never bullied at school, but I was bullied at work, in my 30's. it can happen to anyone at any age.

I havent read all of thread but

This was never a problem when i was very young. In secondary school there was teasing but that was as far as it went. Please dont worry, I have NEVER heard of anyone in school being physically bullied and i only left a few years ago. Your dad is probably just being too over protective and a bit of a worry wart.

I have a child with special needs and she has had children (mainly outside of school time) pick on her or make nasty comments. I would imagine it has happened at school too.

Mencap produce lots of leaflets on bullying and children with learning difficulties, it does go on and vulnerable children do need help dealing with this. A friend of mine was bullied for having a brother with Down's syndrome.

There are some nasty b***d kids out there.

my son had delayed speech at age 2 though is fine now. the only person who really upset him at nursery was a little * who knew him from the baby years (obviously his friends then joined in). he has a sour-faced old aunt who has pretty much brought him up since birth - the first time she realised that ds was chatting away freely and more confident than the ** you should have seen her face . i would not be surprised if she put him up to it