Your questions
answered

My child is starting a new school soon and I am concerned about how she will fit in. Will the other children tease her or leave her out because of the way she looks.

Parents often call Changing Faces when children start school for the first time or are changing schools. Your concern about whether your child will be accepted is understandable. This concern may have come up because your child has had a negative experience at a previous school or may have encountered some negative reactions in public..

Other children will inevitably notice your child's visible difference but you can find ways to help them make friends and feel part of the group if you and the school staff are prepared. It is important to have the support of other parents too. Adults can help all children to form friendships and gain acceptance so that your child's visible difference becomes just one of many differences that exist amongst the whole group.

Here are some suggestions:

• Help your child to practise a simple explanation to give to other children. e.g. It's just a scar. It doesn't hurt."
• Help your child to practise distracting other children from asking too many questions. e.g "Have you seen my Playstation?"
• Equip school staff and other parents with an explanation that they can use when questions arise so that they are encouraged to model positive behaviour to other children.

Changing Faces has written a comprehensive range of Teachers' Guides to assist teachers in supporting children of all ages who have a disfigurement. It is worth finding out whether your child's school has a copy of these guides and referring them to our Schools Specialist for further information.

If you are concerned about teasing and bullying, remember it should never the responsibility of a child to handle such behaviour alone. It should be dealt with promptly and appropriately in accordance with the school policy. If you are still worried about your child after the bullying and teasing has stopped, specialist support can help them regain their self-confidence.

As children go through school they naturally become more self-aware and they may become more anxious about their appearance at different times.

For further advice and information about supporting your child at school please contact our School Specialist.