Not yet, but this is a GREAT topic for a workshop. I’m adding it to my list for workshop ideas! I address school refusal some in my parent course and teacher course from each perspective but we could certainly dive into a whole hour workshop on this topic.
Great article! I notice you used the term school refusal and some folks are moving away from that term. Your thoughts? I do see school avoidance as a system (school) not adequately supporting a child.
Hi Denise! Great question. I address this in this week's podcast which will post on Wednesday. I also am moving away from the term "school refusal" only because it gives the connotation that a child is choosing not to go to school in a defiant kind of way rather than a stress response kind of way. At the same time, the term is accurate in that they are refusing to go so we could substitute any other word here like "resisting." I think it's ok to keep using the term refusal or resistance as long as our next question is "why?" Why are they refusing? It's not just to give us a hard time, it's because something isn't a fit or anxiety is spiking and we need to get curious and figure out why.
Do you have any sample plans schools/families have used to support children when they struggle to transition into the building?
Not yet, but this is a GREAT topic for a workshop. I’m adding it to my list for workshop ideas! I address school refusal some in my parent course and teacher course from each perspective but we could certainly dive into a whole hour workshop on this topic.
Great article! I notice you used the term school refusal and some folks are moving away from that term. Your thoughts? I do see school avoidance as a system (school) not adequately supporting a child.
Hi Denise! Great question. I address this in this week's podcast which will post on Wednesday. I also am moving away from the term "school refusal" only because it gives the connotation that a child is choosing not to go to school in a defiant kind of way rather than a stress response kind of way. At the same time, the term is accurate in that they are refusing to go so we could substitute any other word here like "resisting." I think it's ok to keep using the term refusal or resistance as long as our next question is "why?" Why are they refusing? It's not just to give us a hard time, it's because something isn't a fit or anxiety is spiking and we need to get curious and figure out why.