My 11 yr old daughter is in grade 6. She is really struggling with school. She thinks she is dumb. Yesterday we found a pic of her hanging herself that she had drawn. She has been bullied by a boy in her class, calling her dumb, retard etc. I rang the school straight away and apparently he has been spoken to.
My daughter has major anxiety, doesn't sleep unless she is medicated- which I hate doing. She has a private tutor once a week. She is under a pediatrician for the anxiety and learning issues. She hates school. Will try and do anything to stay home. She goes to bed crying each night because I tell her she can't have the day off. She gets up in the morning and greets me with I hate you mum. She has spoken to the school chaplain today about the drawing, she is embarrassed that I rang the school. I have spoken to her teacher and the Principal about everything including thinking of keeping her back a year. They just say she is doing well and coming along fine. They say keeping her back wouldn't help.
She has had genetic testing and it has shown that she has a few issues that may explain her learning issues, but her cromozine issues are too complex to say definitely whether her issues are genetic or just her.
She had a pediatrician appointment next week. But I guess what I am asking is what else can I be doing for her?
11 year old needs help
11 year old needs help
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Education, Kids
4 Replies
I'd be getting her in to see a child psychologist. They can give you both strategies to tackle her anxiety.
Is she medicated for her anxiety? It sounds like a good time to reassess if she isn't.
And I'm just going to throw it out there but is homeschooling an option? Or distance education?
Take her to be tested by a developmental pediatrician. They test everything for her age ect and can recommend different therapist to help her. I would also send her to a psychologist at least someone she can trust to explain her feelings. And get onto the school big time bullying should be a huge no no at school.
I personally would change schools. She's not coping there. Try something different, she will be happier just knowing you're trying to help (in the way she wants you to, I obviously know you're trying to help but she doesn't see it that way). The bullying is the root of all these problems. If she had other kids on the same level she would be much happier.
Will Headspace see her? Do you have a Big Sister program nearby? In conjunction with the other suggestions it may help.