September 12, 2024 – Stephanie Edenburgh's daughter began having health problems – or so she thought at first.
It began along with her child complaining every morning of what Edenburgh described as “unclear complaints,” reminiscent of stomach aches and headaches. But she soon noticed that these symptoms looked as if it would only occur on school days. Edenburgh's daughter was 11 years old on the time and was transitioning from elementary school to middle school.
“I've also noticed a sudden decline in enthusiasm for things my child used to love, like interacting with friends or going on school trips,” said Edenburgh, who lives in San Diego. She quickly realized that her child was actively attempting to avoid going to highschool.
ScolionophobiaAccording to the Cleveland Clinic, fear of college affects about one in 20 children in some unspecified time in the future in childhood. The condition, also often known as school avoidance or school refusal, often occurs during times of stressful change, reminiscent of when a baby enters first grade, middle school, or highschool.
Difficult experiences or mental illnesses also can contribute to highschool avoidance.
“If a child is having difficulty staying in school because they either don't show up or don't keep up all day, it may be related to anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bullying or other causes,” he said Jacqueline Sperling, PhDDirector of the Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital in Cambridge, MA and Assistant Professor of Psychology within the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
For younger children, being depending on a parent could make going to highschool terrifying. “Anxiety-related school absences in younger children may be related to separation anxiety from caregivers,” he says Christopher Kearney, PhDChair of psychology on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and clinical child psychologist who studies school absenteeism.
A recent study Spanish and Italian researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased school anxiety amongst teenagers as a consequence of stress, academic difficulties and lack of social interaction. Like the pandemic, other circumstances beyond a baby's control also can trigger skolianophobia.
“School avoidance often begins with a triggering event that is the final straw,” he said Felicia Wolf, PsyDStaff psychologist on the Menninger Clinic in Houston and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Causes may include the stress of returning to highschool after a long-term illness, living in an unsafe neighborhood, or a learning disability. School avoidance also can begin after the death of a loved one, or when a baby has to alter schools and even has a teacher change, she said.
The effects of college avoidance
The results might be very serious. Canadian Researcher found that a baby who refuses to go to highschool can experience short-term social isolation, poorer academic performance, and, depending on the reason behind the issue, even be liable to suicide. In the long run, children who avoid school are at higher risk of dropping out and usually tend to develop severe depression.
The sooner the issue is resolved, the higher the consequence.
“You don’t want to reinforce the behavior,” Wolf said. “Don’t let your child avoid school – avoidance increases anxiety.”
Signs of college avoidance
Sign a baby attempting to avoid school can include:
- Complaints of nausea before school within the morning. The child may say she or he has stomach pain, headache, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. These symptoms may or will not be real and will disappear once the kid is allowed to remain home.
- panic
- Cry
- Screaming
- Threats of self-harm
- Physical refusal to go to highschool (for instance, lying on the ground)
Signs of avoidance often appear after a break from school. “You may notice that after a vacation or a long weekend, your child suddenly starts not going to school, or refuses to go out the door, or hides in the bedroom,” Wolf said.
The problem also can result in changes in behavior while the kid is in class, reminiscent of lower grades. But cues of college avoidance can be more subtle, reminiscent of eating lunch in the college bathroom as an alternative of with peers within the cafeteria. Teachers might also notice that the kid is withdrawn, Kearney said.
Is bullying related to highschool avoidance?
In short, it might probably be a very important factor. A new study review found that verbal bullying and cyberbullying by peers cause social anxiety in children. Children who're bullied usually tend to miss school than other children.
“If bullying is the problem, you want to be your child’s advocate,” Sperling said. “You can talk to school staff about keeping an eye on your child while other children may be bullying them. This way, your child won't look like a chatterbox, but an adult can still report bullying behavior. Your child’s teachers can also ensure that your child is not placed with another child who may bully them during school projects.”
A parent may find that their child also must develop latest relationships. For example, friendships between children can change firstly of a brand new school yr. “Help your child increase their social capital by encouraging them to participate in school activities they enjoy,” Wolf said.
How should parents respond to highschool avoidance?
Start with a delicate approach.
“A parent might say, 'I've noticed that getting out of bed and going to school has become more difficult lately, and I'm wondering what's making that so difficult since I want to support you,'” said Sperling.
Once the issue is identified, parents should show understanding and empathy, she said.
Edenburgh found this strategy helpful. “I didn't want to come across as confrontational, so I just started by saying, 'I noticed that you seemed upset about going to school.' Can you tell me why?'” she said. “I tried to be as unbiased as possible because I wanted my child to feel safe talking to me. It turned out that my child was afraid of social dynamics and academic pressure.”
If a baby doesn't open up or doesn't go to highschool in any respect, it's necessary to stay compassionate but additionally set boundaries.
“If a child is staying at home, one solution may be to make the home environment less comfortable to avoid it and provide more support for your child,” Sperling said. “The child shouldn’t be allowed to watch Netflix all day. Instead, they should be sitting at the kitchen table doing schoolwork, not on screens like in class, with scheduled lunches and bathroom breaks, like they would in school.”
When is skilled help required?
Wolf said if symptoms persist for greater than every week, it might be value in search of further help.
“Start with your child’s pediatrician to rule out any medical conditions. The pediatrician can also speak with your child and make a referral to a therapist if necessary.”
Edenburgh also sought skilled help for her child. “We were given practical tools to deal with fear,” she said.
A new study found that children with school truancy can profit greatly from problem-solving and skills training, a brand new treatment strategy that offers a baby a way of control and confidence. Talk therapy, exposure therapy and medicine also can make a difference.
Also note that faculty staff have experience helping with issues reminiscent of school avoidance. Involve your child's teachers and profession counselor.
“One thing that really helps a child is increasing predictability,” Wolf said. “Check with school staff about your child’s schedule so they know what to expect during the day.”
A parent also can encourage their child without unreasonable expectations. Avoid the pressure of getting perfect grades – reducing stress can reduce anxiety, boost a baby's self-esteem and help them stay up for school again.
“My child and I developed a routine together that included relaxation time before and after school, and I encouraged them to participate in activities they enjoyed,” Edenburgh said. “I have found that these changes have helped to increase her confidence and reduce her anxiety. I have noticed a big improvement and my child now feels more comfortable in school. It’s still a work in progress, but I feel like we’re on the right track.”