By asking gently, remembering that they may be very frightened to speak about what's going on, you could find out what is distressing them. There are a number of practical techniques for coping with bullying. These range from trying to stick with friends and avoid being alone, to learning and practicing responses to bullies. Increased confidence is one of the most important ways to address bullying. The more confident a child feels in general, the more able they are to deal with bullies.
Some children find it hard to make friends.
Learning and practicing ways of making friends can make a big difference. Though most of this can be practiced together with friends and families, there are times when some extra help can make a big difference. You could get in touch with the organisations listed at the end of this article, or contact your cleft team or GP for an appointment with a clinical psychologist or counsellor. Working Together as a Family Providing support at home can make a big difference to a child who is being bullied at school. It can often be very difficult for a child to tell anyone about being bullied.