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RESOURCES - Articles
School Phobia / School
Avoidance - Q&A
What is school phobia?
School phobia, school avoidance, school refusal - are all terms used to describe
children who have a pattern of avoiding or refusing to attend school. Different
from truancy, these behaviors occur in 2 to 5% of children between the ages
of 4 and 13 years of age. Traditionally called “school phobia”,
many professionals now prefer to use the term “school avoidance” or “school
refusal” to describe children who refuse to attend or avoid school.
For young children, school means a lot of time spent away from home. Not only
do children miss the home setting, but they can also experience "separation
anxiety" from their caregiver or parent. These intense feelings result in
a refusal to attend school, camp, or other activity outside of the home. These
children suffer from "school phobia" in a sense that the unknown is
fearful. Although some children fear school-related activities (bus ride, lunchroom,
reading aloud in school), some are anxious about home issues or about being separated
from a caregiver.
If a child has always been clingy, are they likely to refuse to go to school?
The majority of children who refuse school are the school-age children who were
previously able to separate from their caregivers. These children are trying
to avoid uncomfortable feelings associated with school, and or problems experienced
at home.
What causes a child to become anxious?
A recent crisis in the family (such as a death, divorce, financial problems,
a move, etc.) may cause a child to become fearful or anxious. Some children fear
that something terrible will happen while they are attending school. Other children
are struggling with academic or social problems that occur while attending school.
They may develop school refusal behaviors to reduce the negative feelings associated
with being in the school environment.
What other types of children tend to avoid school?
Children who have missed a lot of school due to illness or surgery may experience
difficulty returning to the classroom routine, as well as the social and academic
demands. Still other children prefer to stay at home and watch TV, have increased
parental attention and play. Children and youth who are transitioning from one
school to another at various developmental points in their lives (elementary
to middle school; middle to high school) may also experience anxiety and fears
contributing to school avoidance.
What are the signs and symptoms of schools avoidance?
Symptoms or signs of school avoidance include:
- The creation of many reasons
why they should not attend
- Missing many days of school
- (headaches, abdominal pain,
nausea, dizziness)
- Threats of physical or emotional harm (teasing or bullying
by peers)
- Anxieties over toileting in public bathrooms
- A perception
that teacher or other school personnel are "mean"
- Existing
learning difficulties or increased problems with academics
Can stressful events at school cause school avoidance?
Research indicates many children experience school events
as stressful enough to produce such symptoms as
withdrawal, aggression, moodiness, and anxiety.
When a child seeks to avoid school, the parents are advised to quickly
request a consultation
with the child's teacher and the school psychologist. For very young
children, a doctor visit to rule out any underlying
medical condition is warranted,
and the next step is meeting with school personnel.
How can we solve the problem?
Whatever the underlying cause of the anxiety or avoidance, parents
need to see themselves as part of a professional team working to
solve the
problem. Work
with your child's school psychologist to find ways to modify the
school and
home environment for the child's benefit. Sometimes, simple interventions,
such as
a planned focus on the child's positive behaviors, or special time
with an important person in the child's life will help the child
comfortably resume
going to school.
Foundations Behavioral Health
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