School Refusal and School Avoidance

School Refusal and School Avoidance

22 September | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm EST

A practical professional development session for parents, educators and practitioners supporting children and young people experiencing school refusal, school avoidance or significant distress associated with attending school.

This session will explore what may sit underneath school avoidance, including anxiety, overwhelm, sensory needs, bullying, unmet support needs, demand-related distress and nervous-system dysregulation.

We will look beyond the idea of simply “getting the child back to school” and focus on understanding the function of avoidance, identifying barriers to participation and developing compassionate, practical strategies that support safety, regulation, connection and gradual re-engagement.

Participants will explore practical approaches for home, school and clinical settings, including working collaboratively with families and schools, responding to distress, reducing escalation, supporting transitions and developing realistic return-to-school or engagement plans.