Re: Re: Brownies and bulling

January 8, 2008

I haven't kept up with the threads in awhile, but I wanted to respond to this

post. I just recently enrolled my daughter into brownies. she is HF and also

mainstreemed.

Does she get bullied on an occasion? Yes. However, I remember as a child I got

bullied. I think bullies happen no matter where you go Autistic or not...

bulling is an issue for children. Actually, I wrote a lesson about this as I

teach a class to kids about compassion. I was amazed that every single child in

the class had at least 1 or 2 bullies in school. So no one is immune.

http://going-nuts.net/2007/09/09/ant-bully-compassion-in-action/

There are some girls in her troop I am a bit concerned about, but I've had open

communication with not only the leader, but also the district leaders. Prior to

enrolling her I contacted several district leaders, explained my concerns, her

strengths and her challenges and needs. We were able to find a troop that so far

works. The main office reassured me at any point if I felt it wasn't working,

contact them immediately.

I think because it came down from the main office and they placed her in the

correct troop, the leader is open and receptive to understanding her needs and

will work me as well. The last thing the girl scouts would want is an angry

parent making statements that they discriminate against their special needs

child. So - another suggestion is to contact your local girl scouts office if

you aren't getting any traction with the leaders and ask them if there are other

troops more willing to work with you when it comes to your daughters needs.

The best thing we can do for our girls is to surround them with people that are

willing to be more sensitive. What I've found is if my daughter has a strength

and has a commonality with other girls there (for her it's art)... the less

likely they will be willing to bully her. Why? Who knows... maybe it's because

they recognise it's her strengh dispite her weaknesses. However, If I'm pushing

her into social groups that is completely unrelated to her strenghs just so she

can learn social skills, then the girls will pick on her more.Why? my thoughts

are because she because she is socially akward, and that is the only thing they

can focus and can't see past the fact she's a bit different. Who knows if I'm

right or wrong, but it's just something I've noticed.

Are there other programs at school the girls can get involved in? What about art

clubs or music? The key no matter what group I have gotten her involved in, is

communication with the teachers/parents. The more they understand the more they

can instruct the kids to understand. Without it, forget any healthy/secure

social enviorment for our girls with needs. Anyway, just food for thought....

hang in there.

Kindest regards,

taijij at work wrote: Sorry

to hear that she is unhappy at Brownies.

Yes, my daughter acts different when I am around and there is a group, like

if I visit her at school - she becomes needy, clingy etc.

I would sneak in and try to see what is going on in there.

Also, girls are can be viscous. I remember all the teasing was always

started by girls. I don't know why but it's other girls that I fear the

most teasing my child.

Have you thought about talking to the group without your daughter there?

Remind them that they are girl scouts and are supposed to live up to it.

> I am thinking about horse therapy. She already has a mini tramp.

> The horse therapy works for part of the year, but being in Wisconsin,

> weather takes some time away from that.

>

> I am also putting her into a gymnastics class for differently abled

> kids. Hopefully that will help too.

>

> The whole Brownie thing is hard because the same girls that bully her

> at school (and this I am sure of because my older daughter has

> witnessed it on many occasions herself) are also in Brownies.

>

> Hmmmm, what to do, what to do!

>

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > Hannah (8) is currently enrolled in Brownies. 2 girls that are

> there

> > are very mean to her and bully her frequently (as they do at

> school).

> > The leaders keep assuring me that they don't " pull that " while at

> > Brownies, but Hannah says they do. It's hard to say if she can

> > separate school time from Brownies but...

> >

> > Do y'all think that a structured group like Brownies (with about 13

> > other shrieking little girls) is a good setting? She has very poor

> > social skills and before knowing her dx, I thought it might be a

> good

> > thing to get her involved in something.

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Chef Amy

> > Reel Thyme Cooking, LLC

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.

> Try it now.

> >

January 9, 2008

Kimberley,

Very well written and right on target. Thanks for the input.

Kim Emminger wrote:

I haven't kept up with the threads in awhile, but I wanted to respond

to this post. I just recently enrolled my daughter into brownies. she is HF and

also mainstreemed.