When children or teens refuse to go to school, it presents an incredibly difficult situation for parents to manage. The first important question we assess is why children are refusing school. Are they anxious about something or experiencing panic attacks in response to a stressful situation? Are they being teased or bullied, struggling academically, or refusing for some other reason?
An experienced clinician can help tease apart the many complex issues that may be involved. We work with parents, as well as the school, to develop a plan to help kids be successful in returning to school and getting back on track.
Helpful resources for school refusal include information from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) on school refusal, as well as Christopher Kearney’s book on school refusal, School Refusal Behavior in Youth.
