My child’s anxiety has always been due to bullying or inappropriate behaviour from other kids. She has never felt supported or protected by anyone at the school. She once got punched on the school bus by a boy with fetal alcohol syndrome. When I went to the vice principal about it, the boy was fully protected, and I was told: he’s special needs; she needs to be aware of that and not do anything to get punched. Her entire school career has given her the message that other kids’ poor behaviour towards her must be tolerated because: they are special; she is intelligent and caring, so she needs to learn to co-exist with other kids, even when they are not nice to be around.
School Phobia and Exclusion
Youth Mental Health Canada
