Attendance Counts! Helping kids with back-to-school anxiety

If your child is avoiding or refusing to attend school, this podcast is for you.

On Aug 29, 2024, Kids In Crisis hosted our latest webinar in the Helping Kids Thrive series: Attendance Counts! Helping kids with back-to-school anxiety: Practical strategies to help school refusal and avoidance.

You can find the entire hour-long webinar on the Kids In Crisis YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/bsnMICtXsVA?si=_nCOhaUjcHfwFwSj

Or listen to our podcast crew break it down in 11 minutes.

Main Themes of Today's Podcast:

• School avoidance and anxiety in children and teens
• The impact of school refusal on families
• Early intervention strategies for school avoidance
• The importance of failure and resilience in child development
• The role of technology and social media in anxiety and school avoidance
• Collaborative approaches involving parents, schools, and mental health professionals

Key Actions and Commitments:

• Involve the school early when signs of school avoidance appear
• Create a support team including therapists, school staff, and family members
• Implement exposure therapy and gradual reintegration strategies
• Consider medication when appropriate, in consultation with medical professionals
• Advocate for your child's needs within the school system
• Establish routines and use anxiety management tools (e.g., apps like Calm)
• Provide opportunities for children to build confidence outside of academics

Important Considerations:

• School avoidance can stem from various issues, including anxiety, phobias, and social problems
• Progress is often non-linear; setbacks are normal and don't undo all previous work
• Siblings may be affected and need support and attention
• Some level of anxiety is normal and can be motivating; the goal is managing excessive anxiety
• Consider the impact of technology and social media on anxiety and school avoidance
• In severe cases, changing schools might be an option after other interventions have been tried

Conclusion:

School avoidance is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach involving parents, schools, and mental health professionals. Early intervention is crucial, and there are various strategies available to help children overcome anxiety and return to school successfully. While the process can be challenging and time-consuming, with persistence and the proper support, children can learn to manage their anxiety and thrive in school. Parents need to advocate for their children, be patient with the process, and remember that setbacks are normal. By focusing on building resilience, providing support, and addressing underlying issues, families can help their children overcome school avoidance and develop the skills they need for long-term success.