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Can you please ask your kids not to stare

Answered 3 years ago

I’m a disability support worker and children are always staring at my client. I get natural curiosity and I understand if it’s a very young child staring but kids who are aged around 6 and over should know better. My client is aware she looks different and the stares upset her so much it leads to mental distress. If you see your kid staring, ask them to stop and then have a chat to them later about it.


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ANSWER
3 years ago
Do you think she'd mind if they smiled and waved instead? Thinking some kids it's easier to get them to say hi than to just not stare.

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REPLY
3 years ago
Absolutely she loves kids saying hello.

ANSWER
3 years ago
I am also a disability support worker in your exact situation. I find saying hello or engaging in conversation with the child helps.
It is also helpful to engage in conversation with the participant when this happens, they need to build resilience as this is an issue that will not go away.

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REPLY
3 years ago
I try, but unfortunately my client is quick to anger and will sometimes yell at a kid for staring at her. I’d hate for a kid to become frightened of disabled people because someone yelled at them. That’s why it’d be great if parents could have a conversation to their child about it.

REPLY
3 years ago
Well maybe your participant yelling at the child will prompt the parents to have the conversation. If a parent commented on the yelling I would politely reply something along the lines of maybe he/she will soon learn staring can be upsetting