School Avoidance: Not Just Playing Hooky
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
While kids trying to get out of a day of a school with a well-timed stomach ache has been going on since the first one-room school house, daily school avoidance may point to a larger emotional or real physical issue, say experts at Bradley Hospital in East Providence.
School avoidance, or refusal, is more common than parents might think, according to experts at Bradley, and occurs in about five percent of school kids. This avoidance is particularly common in children experiencing transitions to different levels of school: ages 5 to 7 and 11 to 14. But kids who try to avoid school on a daily basis, who get emotional and even complain about mild physical ailments, such as headache or stomachache, right before it is time to leave for school, may be indicating a deeper issue.
Not the same as playing hooky
“School avoidance is not the same as truancy or playing hooky for a day,” says Greta Francis, PhD, a child psychologist and clinical director of the Bradley School. “Many kids who avoid school have physical complaints that are triggered by anxiety," she said, which can be caused by factors including feeling inadequate in school, separation anxiety, family issues, learning disabilities and depression.
What to do in the moment
If you're letting a nervous child stay home, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nothing that makes that day off special: video games or special snacks, for example. And remember: if your child misses school that day, then sports practices, parties, and any other after-school events must be cancelled.
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If parents notice the school avoidance lasting more than a few days, they should ask their child about any troubles he or she may be having in school. Also, parents should turn to the child’s teachers who may notice issues inside the classroom. Parents should be firm in making sure the child attends school, but also praise the child’s accomplishments to boost the child’s confidence. If the problem persists for more than a few weeks with no progress being made, parents should seek help from a mental health professional, such as a clinical child psychologist or child psychiatrist.
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