Showing posts with label #socialanxiety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #socialanxiety. Show all posts

Saturday, 30 March 2013

Do students with social anxiety have enough say?

The Office for National Statistics Mental Health in Children and Young People reports that one in ten children up to the age of fifteen suffers a mental health disorder, therefore possibly at least three students in an average class of thirty will suffer from anxiety - so is it fair that students don't have a say in their education?

Students are powerless regarding matters such as seating arrangements and having to speak aloud to the class, however are teachers of this generation trained to deal with students suffering with anxiety, or in the least - are they even aware?

Surely making a student with social anxiety sit at the front of the class or share their work out loud, only to find 29 pairs of eyes staring at them, will increase their anxiety and cause them to feel uncomfortable towards school?

Teachers and schools are made aware of the specific students with ADHD (Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder), nut allergies and diabetes yet alarmingly, not anxiety. 

Ssome may argue that if students are allowed more of a say at school, it will cause them to hide away and become comfortable with not socialising with the rest of their peers, resulting in discouragement of facing their fears and getting better.

What do you think? Do you believe students should have a choice in matters such as where they sit in class or do you believe it will discourage them to face their social fears and make them worse?