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Illness & Disability

When kids tease

Kids often make fun of things they don't understand, which is one reason why they might make fun of someone with an illness or disability. This is not a good excuse for people who tease. It is just important to know that the problem is with the person who teases, not the person who is getting teased.

Why do people tease?

• To make people pay attention to them
• They don’t have good role models
• It makes them feel better about themselves to put others down
• They think it is cool
• They make fun of things they don’t understand, such as a learning disability
  

It may sound funny, but not all teasing is bad. Teasing can be fun if it makes the person being teased laugh, too. But mean and hurtful teasing that is only meant to make someone feel badly can cause sadness and anger. It is important to know the difference: playful teasing can help you have a sense of humor and make it easier to get along with others, and harmful bullying can cause low or poor self-esteem. (What is self-esteem?)

What can I do?

If you are being teased, talk to your parents or guardians about what is going on. You may not be able to stop others from picking on you, but you can do something about the way it makes you feel.

• When someone teases you, remind yourself that it doesn’t matter what this person is saying.
• Know that you can handle it, even if you don’t like it.
• Ignore the person who is teasing you (but remember to talk to your parents or guardians, especially if the teasing keeps happening).
• Picture the mean words bouncing right off of you.
• If you are around others, such as in a classroom, ask the teacher to tell them to stop.
• Use a calm voice when talking to people who pick on you to show you are not afraid and that you are a much more polite person.
  

Content last updated June 2, 2007

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