A British schoolchild has been allowed to officially identify himself as a wolf, the Mail reports.
A high school student is said to be suffering from “species dysphoria,” where a person claims his body belongs to a different species.
It is said that the teachers support the younger ones.
It is said that more and more school children are taking on the personalities of creatures such as foxes, dragons, birds, snakes, sharks and even dinosaurs.
But clinical neuropsychologist Dr Tommy MacKay insisted last night: ‘There is no such thing as a condition in science called ‘species dysphoria’. It is not surprising that we are seeing this in an age when many people want to identify as something other than who they are.
A British schoolboy suffers from ‘species dysphoria’ and identifies as a wolf
“Now we have a council that apparently assumes that a child will identify as a wolf, rather than telling them to control themselves and fend for themselves, which would be the most logical approach.”
Confirmation of the first known case in Scotland of a school admitting a pupil identified themselves as an animal has been revealed in official documents.
The Mail knows the name of the council involved, but has decided not to release it in order to protect the identity of the child concerned.
The local authority said the pupil belonged to a group who called themselves ‘furries’ and identified with ‘animal persona’. The council said it offered ‘personal support’ and ‘more specific support’ from a ‘welfare worker’, including counselling and learning support, adding: ‘There is very little specific guidance on species dysphoria.’
It explained that it followed Scottish Government guidance, Getting It Right For Every Child (Girfec), and used a ‘wellbeing wheel’ to support pupils regardless of any learning barriers or challenges they face.
The Wellbeing Wheel is a diagram used in the Girfec guidelines that emphasises the importance of helping children ‘overcome inequalities’ and ensuring their voices are heard in ‘decisions that affect their lives, with support where needed’.
The council was contacted for further comment.
The news follows a school in Aberdeenshire being forced to deny rumours last year that a pupil had identified himself as a cat and had been given a litter tray in the toilets.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that groups of TikTok users in the UK were organising gatherings for people who identify as animals.
The local authority followed Scottish Government guidance and used a ‘wellbeing wheel’ to support pupils regardless of the learning barriers or challenges they face.
Meghan Gallacher, a Conservative MP, said: ‘Teachers, already under huge pressure due to SNP cuts, should not feel they have to tiptoe around problems in the classroom.
‘Given the many challenges schools face, ministers must ensure that teachers feel confident that they can take a sensible approach when these situations arise.’
The Scottish government declined to comment. It said there was no guidance – or plans to produce one – specifically to support people who claim to have species dysphoria.