Girls Only: Ask Dr. M: Family

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Dr. M is the author of five advice books, including Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? How to Have Fun, Survive the Preteen Years, and Remain True to Yourself, both written with her teenage daughter. Dr. M shares this advice column with Molly, a middle school student who loves to play soccer, dance, write and spend time with her friends.

Read more questions and answers in these categories:

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>	Boys

>	Family

>	Feelings

>	Friends

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Dear Dr. M,
My brother Sean has a disorder. He can't talk. He can make little sounds, but he can't say a whole word. I still love him. I am worried that when he gets older, kids will make fun of him. What should I do? Our neighbors, who are three and four, already make fun of him.

—Erin, 9

Dear Erin,
Sean is lucky to have such a caring sister as you. I, too, have a brother who can't talk. As a result of a brain injury, he has never been able to develop speech. I love him and see him often. I know how painful it is when other people treat him badly.

When young children make fun of someone who is different, they are doing it because they probably haven't learned how cruel their behavior is. You can help them by explaining why your brother can't talk. You can also tell them how much it hurts you and your brother when he is made fun of.

Unfortunately, your brother will probably face unkind comments and behavior from people from time to time. You may not always be able to respond for him. But make sure he knows how much you love him and how special he is. Also, talk to your parents to let them know your concerns for your brother's future.


	Dear Erin, Other kids might make fun of Sean because they don't know any better. But as they get older, kids usually learn that they shouldn't make fun of someone else, particularly when the condition is something that person has no control over. Hopefully, Sean will find a way to communicate, even without speech, and he'll be able to make friends. You're a great sister for being so concerned about your brother and not focusing on yourself.

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