School Reluctance, Avoidance, and Refusal

School Avoidance (or school refusal) is a pattern of “unexcused absences” initiated by a child and not intended by the parents. It can be triggered by transitions (weekends, holidays), illnesses, and stressful events (e.g., hard tests, peer bullying, conflict at home). It includes lateness, early departures, and regular visits to the nurse/guidance counselor. SA behavior can contribute to partial or whole day school absences, tardiness, missed class time (e.g., nurse or counselor visits), or other disruptions to the youth’s routine that affect attendance (e.g., morning tantrums, sleep difficulties, somatic complaints). Youth show resistance the night before, contentious morning routines, protests on the way to and from school, and many disrupted workdays for parents. 

• You’re not alone: 8% of students show chronic attendance problems.
• Immediate effects of school avoidance: family conflict, academic difficulties, mental health problems, increased aggression, and school drop-out or transfer to out-of-district placements.
• As adults, these children are more likely to have marital, legal, and financial problems, struggle to keep a job and have children with school refusal problems themselves
• These problems affect the parents, other children in the family, and your family’s mental well-being!