A Guide for Parents: Dealing with School Anxiety and Refusal
If your child is refusing to attend school, you may wonder what is behind the behavior. Fortunately, there are several strategies for dealing with school refusal. A few of these include: Knowing the reasons why your child is refusing to go to school, recognizing symptoms of anxiety, and taking step-by-step action to return your child to school.
Motivations for refusing to go to school
If your child is averse to going to school, it’s important to find out why. Many reasons are related to a lack of motivation, but one of the most common is an underlying learning disability. Identifying these reasons can help you figure out what to do to help your child succeed in school.
Motivation problems can be a recent development, or they can be chronic. People may have attention deficit disorder (ADD), a learning disability, or other conditions that inhibit motivation. These may be diagnosed later in life, when a child is older. Other causes can be related to a lack of motivation, such as drug or alcohol abuse or depression.
Symptoms of anxiety
When your child exhibits symptoms of anxiety or refusal, it’s important to know how to address them so that you can help them succeed in school. First, talk to your child about their feelings and the ways in which they can be overcome. If you can’t reach your child directly, try to arrange a meeting with the school staff, who may be able to offer you advice or find a way to help.
Another important way to address the issue of school refusal is to offer a supportive environment and provide positive reinforcement. You should offer your child a safe space, zero tolerance for bullying, and opportunities to practice relaxation techniques. If these measures do not work, psychopharmacologic interventions may be necessary.
Many kids who refuse to attend school may suffer from separation anxiety. This anxiety may make them want to stay home with their parents during the day or refuse to stay with friends overnight. They may express fears of being separated from their parents and worry about bullying at school. The anxiety may result in physical symptoms, such as chest pains or nausea. Fortunately, these symptoms usually subside by midday.
In addition to physical symptoms, school refusal is often a symptom of another ailment, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or panic disorder. The first step to recognizing the underlying cause of school refusal is to seek a mental health professional. If your child is displaying three or more symptoms for at least four weeks, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder.
Although school refusal and truancy can often co-occur, they are different symptoms of anxiety and depression. A comprehensive evaluation should assess your child’s functioning in the home and at school, as well as their symptoms of anxiety and depression. The evaluation should also assess how the school and family have responded to the school refusal and absences. If these symptoms are caused by a specific incident, graded reintroduction of the child into the classroom may be necessary.
Step-wise return to school
If your child has severe school anxiety, you can help him get back in the classroom by using a step-wise hierarchy of tasks. The basic principle is to do each step until the anxiety associated with it diminishes, then move on to the next step. The process can take several months.
Parents with school refusal must establish consistent routines, reinforce anxiety coping strategies, and modify accommodation patterns. In some cases, therapy sessions may be required. These sessions help parents manage their emotional distress and help children develop healthier patterns of problem-solving, communication, and support. Therapy sessions are typically weekly, although intensive treatment is sometimes necessary.
Depending on the child’s age and ability, back-to-school anxiety may be a symptom of a more serious condition. In this case, the problem could be physical, mental, or neurodevelopmental. The solution is to help your child focus on achieving qualifications needed for the next step in life. Dropping less relevant GCSEs may also help.
While school refusal can be difficult, it is important to keep in mind that it can lead to further academic problems. When your child misses school, he or she will likely fall behind in his or her studies. Falling behind in academics can lead to greater anxiety and stress. To help your child succeed in school, you can collaborate with the school and help him or her overcome his fears. It may also be helpful to seek help from a mental health professional or trusted friend.
Parents of children with school anxiety and refusal must be firm and persistent in their attempts to get your child back into class. The longer your child stays at home, the harder it becomes to re-train him or her to return to school. However, parents must remember that your child’s anxiety may be caused by other concerns, such as social pressure or legitimate fears about violence at school. If you let your child stay home, he or she will continue to exert pressure to stay home.
Children with severe anxiety may benefit from a step-wise return to school. For example, on day one, your child may go to school a few hours, then come home with you. Then on day two, he or she might go to school for a half day or to a favorite class and return for the whole day on day three.
Treatment options
When school anxiety and refusal are causing your child to miss school or stay home early, it’s important to seek treatment. A comprehensive evaluation is the first step to effective treatment. Once the symptoms are diagnosed, the therapy can be tailored to the child’s specific needs. Some therapies include exposure therapy, psychoeducation, and coping skills training. Other approaches involve working with parents and the school staff to implement a new schedule and environment.
If school refusal is a symptom of an underlying depressive or anxiety disorder, it is best to diagnose the disorder as early as possible. Treatment will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s symptoms, family history, and a series of tests. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy will help your child recognize maladaptive thought patterns and develop strategies for overcoming them. If this does not work, a psychopharmacologic intervention may be necessary.
While early return to school is a primary goal, other comorbid psychiatric problems must also be addressed. In addition to cognitive therapy, a comprehensive evaluation should include a psychiatric evaluation. In some cases, medication may be necessary, but the rate of remission is high.
Anxiety-based school refusal is a common problem in children. It is characterized by a high level of anxiety and difficulty remaining in school without a parent or caregiver present. Usually, children who refuse to attend school have a high level of anxiety and experience marked distress when forced to attend. Effective treatment for school anxiety and refusal includes specialized evaluation, child-focused behavioral treatment, parent management training, and consultation with school staff.