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By Abbey Zabielo (UWS Student)

School refusal, also known as school avoidance, is a problem that occurs when a child refuses to go to school or experiences significant distress when they are at school. This can result in missed days of school and difficulty in keeping up with academic and social expectations.

There can be many reasons why a child might refuse to go to school, including:

  1. Anxiety: Anxiety disorders, such as separation anxiety or social anxiety, can make it difficult for a child to feel comfortable at school.
  2. Bullying: Experiencing bullying or social exclusion at school can cause a child to feel unsafe or unwelcome, leading them to avoid going to school.
  3. Learning difficulties: Struggling with academic work can make school feel overwhelming and unpleasant, causing a child to avoid it.
  4. Family problems: Family issues, such as a divorce or a move, can cause emotional distress for a child and make it difficult to attend school regularly.
  5. Trauma: Experiencing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or violence, can make a child feel unsafe at school.
  6. Physical health problems: Children with chronic or acute physical health problems, such as chronic pain or migraines, may find it difficult to attend school regularly.

If your child is exhibiting signs of school refusal, it is important to address the problem as soon as possible. Talk to your child’s teachers and school counsellors to get a better understanding of what might be causing the behaviour, and work together to develop a plan for addressing the issue. Therapy, medication, or other interventions may be necessary to help your child overcome their anxiety or other underlying issues.

If your child is struggling with attendance and experiencing school refusal, Psychologists can provide effective, evidence-based interventions and supports. Our Solutions in Mind team can help. If you would like support with this please give us a call (02) 4722 9097.