A Parents Guide to Supporting your Child when they Refuse to go to School
“I don’t want to go to school!” I’m sure as a parent, you’ve heard this before. Every child has days where they just don’t want to go to school. School refusal can run the gamut from simple ie… “I didn’t get my homework done” to complex ie… “I’m scared for my safety”. But when it becomes a habit, it may be time to consider if a deeper issue is at hand. Decade2Connect’s Child Therapy services can provide professional support for children struggling with school refusal.
Habitual school refusal can have multiple causes, including but not limited to:
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Bullying
-Academic struggles
-Social isolation
-Safety
-Bullying
-Undiagnosed learning disability
-Undiagnosed learning disability
As a result, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addressing school refusal. However, here are some general strategies that can be helpful in handling school refusal:
Underlying CauseThe first step in addressing school refusal is to identify the underlying cause. Talk to your child to understand why they are refusing to go to school. Is it due to anxiety, academic struggles, or social difficulties?
The clinical team at Decade2Connect sees children dealing with school refusal on a daily basis and is a valuable resource in supporting your child. Connect with a member of our team if you need additional support – we’re here to connect your child with themselves, their family and their community!
