What is School Avoidance?

School avoidance has become a challenge in Canada. According to Anxiety Canada, more than 25% of youth will engage in some form of school avoidance during their education. As therapists, we have noted this as a growing trend since schools reopened after the pandemic: disengaged children brought in by helpless parents who do not know how to handle the problem.

For some children, this could be a temporary hiccup as they readjust to new surroundings. For others, school avoidance can become persistent and impact both their mental health and education. Early intervention, such as counselling, is imperative. A trained child therapist can peel layers off the emotional onion to get to the root cause and identify supportive strategies to resolve it.

School Avoidance and Anxiety

School avoidance can stem from various factors, including bullying, learning disabilities, family strife, academic pressures, or a toxic social environment. All of these cause anxiety that children are ill-equipped to handle by themselves. Many kids in this situation feel overwhelmed, misunderstood and isolated. Without a compassionate support system, they may not see a clear path forward, leaving them stuck.

A positive therapeutic outcome often requires the involvement of both the child and the caregiver. Depending on the child’s age, the therapist can work with both of them individually or together. When caregivers and kids are given tools to manage anxiety, build coping strategies and access appropriate accommodations, the clouds lift, and moving forward becomes easier. The process will allow both of you to understand their emotions and recognize the triggers.

Communication & Confidence

Identifying the cause of your child’s anxiety is one hurdle. The next phase is finding a treatment modality that works. Child therapists are trained in a wide variety of evidence-based treatments. Helping your child learn and practise them is where the caregiver can have the most significant impact. The main goal is to help them face the fears or anxieties that keep them from attending school.

Once your child has learned how to recognize and “name” their feelings, they will be able to clearly express their needs. Getting to this empowering stage is important for their self-development and self-confidence. Not only will they be properly armed to navigate their educational journey, but this will set them up to take ownership of their own needs and care, paving the way for long-term resilience and growth.

Working with the School System:

The main goal to address school avoidance is to help your child face the fears that keep them from attending school. Typically, this requires engaging with the school system and advocating for accommodations that your child may need, either temporarily or permanently. Child therapists are well-versed in navigating educational institutions and can intervene, provide you with documentation and point you in the right direction.

Accommodations should be developed collaboratively to include the child to ensure the voice is heard. Using age-appropriate language, seeking feedback, and sharing the decision-making supports buy-in. Also, respect the child’s right to decline strategies that clearly make them uncomfortable. Let them work at their own pace and build in flexibility throughout the process. Here are examples of accommodations you might consider:

1. Gradual Re-Entry

Allow the student to ease back into the school environment gradually. Start with shorter school days or limited periods (e.g., attending only a favourite class or non-threatening subject). Gradually increase attendance as comfort builds. You can also consider remote or hybrid learning that transitions to full-time attendance.

2. Safe Space at School

Provide access to a designated “safe space” where the student can go if they feel overwhelmed (e.g., a counsellor’s office or a quiet room). They should feel comfortable accessing this space without explaining themselves in the moment.

3. Flexible Academic Expectations

They may require time off for mental health reasons, and offering flexible assignment deadlines can help relieve a burden.

4. Peer or Staff Support System

Pairing the student with a trusted adult mentor or peer can help them navigate their school day with the type of emotional support they require. Also, regular check-ins with a school counsellor can help them review their progress and celebrate wins while keeping challenges from escalating.

Evidence-Based Therapy For School Avoidance

Anxiety-reducing therapy can be helpful when working with teenagers. In 2021, Lumenus Community Services used two types of therapy in a program called 304 Classroom to address the growing number of local students chronically avoiding school after the pandemic. 

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is a highly effective treatment for school avoidance. It helps students gradually face the fears and anxieties that keep them from attending school. This structured approach creates a safe, step-by-step plan for reintroducing school-related activities. We start with less intimidating tasks and build up to the worst. Facing these challenges incrementally arms them with the resilience to cope and builds confidence to foster a healthier relationship with the school.

Mindfulness Meditation:

Mindfulness meditation is a proven method to help adults and children manage anxiety and stress. Your therapist can guide your child through the meditation and provide online resources that your child can use on their own. Mindfulness meditation focuses all your senses on the present moment with non-judgmental awareness. This helps reduce overthinking and eases the emotional intensity of their fears. Regularly practising mindfulness meditation can enhance your child’s self-regulation, build resilience, and provide a calming tool to navigate overwhelming situations.

Overcoming School Avoidance

Overcoming school avoidance is a process that can appear long and difficult. With patience, compassion, and the correct resources, your child will start taking meaningful steps toward healing and reintegrating back into school life. We cannot overstate the importance of ensuring that your child is supported throughout this process. Early intervention is key. However, it is never too late to seek the guidance of a trained child therapist. We deeply care about children and families and would be honoured to help you. Best of all, your first consultation with us is completely free.

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