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School Avoidance

Up to 15% of children are school-avoidant meaning that they refuse to attend school or have difficulty attending school regularly (Leduc et al., 2022) On this page you will find advice for working with students who are refusing to come to school. 

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Causes of School Avoidance

There are many reasons why a child may experience school avoidance including:

  • Mental Health Concerns like Anxiety, Depression, and Social Phobia

  • Medical Conditions

  • Separation Anxiety

  • Family Issues

  • Bullying

 

Ready for School
Interventions for School Avoidance
Hover over the images below for more details

Prioritize Connection
2x10 Intervention

2x10 is a Tier 2 intervention where a teacher or school staff member spends 2 minutes a day talking with a student 10 days in a row. 

Conversations are focused on getting to know the child better. 

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An incremental plan is developed for the child to gradually return to school. The plan must be implemented consistently. 

View a sample systematic desensitization plan.

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Systematic Desensitization Plan

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Collaborate with parents to determine pay-offs of staying home.

Access to TV, video games, tablets, and cell phones should be removed during the school day.

The child should not be allowed to sleep in or nap during the school day.

Make Staying Home Less Rewarding

Interventions that Make School Avoidance Worse

  • Home instruction-This reinforces that the child does not actually need to attend school.

  • Teachers drawing attention to a child coming to class late or returning to class after an extended absence. Teachers should be coached to speak with students privately and not in front of the entire class.

  • Offering rewards or incentives for improved attendance. Progress is not linear, and missed opportunities or rewards may make the child feel worse.

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