A calm way to explain Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) to a child. Read it together. Take your time.
The tiny story
“Your brain is like the remote, and your body is like the car. Sometimes the signal gets fuzzy, so the car might turn or stop even when you didn’t press the button.”
Brain
Remote
Body
Car
That’s all FND really is — a fuzzy signal between a brain that’s working hard and a body that’s listening.
What it can look like — and how to help
Reading together.
Things that might happen
Brain fog — thoughts can feel slow.
Wobbles, shakes or movements they didn't choose.
Sudden tiredness, even after small things.
Some days bumpy, some days smooth.
How to be a good friend
Speak softly. A kind voice helps.
Don't rush them — let the remote find the channel.
Treat them normally. They're still the same person.
Believe them — if they say it feels weird, it does.
✓ This is true
✓FND is real.
✓It is not their fault.
✓It is not catching — you can't get it from a hug.
✓Their brain is clever, just a little crossed-up.
✗ These aren’t true
✗They are not making it up.
✗They are not being lazy.
✗They can't just 'try harder' to stop it.
✗It doesn't mean they're broken.
All about me
My signal, in my own words.
Fill this in together. Take it to school, to grandma’s, to a new doctor — anywhere it might help someone understand you better.
What my FND can look like
(E.g. shakes in my hands, blurred vision, falling, brain fog…)
What really helps me
(E.g. somewhere quiet, water, my favourite blanket, a hug…)
Things that don’t help
(E.g. loud noises, being rushed, bright lights, “just try harder”…)
If you see me having a wobble, please…
(Stay calm, sit me down, call my safe person, give me time…)
