School plays a vital role in grooming the behavior and development of students. School refusal behavior in young adults is a serious issue that is common in many countries. Authorized absences with satisfactory explanations are acceptable. But unauthorized absences are often linked with school attendance problems and refusal behavior.
The Common Reasons of School Absence
When Does School Refusal Behavior Occur?
It develops when students refuse to go to school or have severe distress. Children may find school exciting and fun. But one in four children may refuse to attend school. It becomes a routine problem for a few children when it's time to get ready for school. Kids with separation anxiety, social anxiety or depression show signs of refusal behavior. Parents should understand such behavior and provide proper therapy.
Signs of School Refusal Behavior
- Excessive worry about losing a parent
- Fear that a parent might be harmed
- Unable to spend time alone
- Refusal to sleep alone
Parents might start to notice these signs before the child is 18 years old. If such behavior lasts for more than four weeks or longer, it might affect the kid's social and academics.
What are the Most Common Reasons for School Absence?
- Ill parents
- Parents separating or having frequent arguments
- A death in the family
- Moving from one house/city to another
- Sibling issues (Possessiveness/jealousy)
- Feeling lost
- Not having friends
- Unable to talk with teachers and classmates
You must read this: Reasons to keep your child from school
What are the Common Symptoms and Signs of School Refusal Behavior?
- A child cries every morning before school
- Adults miss the school bus every day
- Child/adult develops some type of physical symptom regularly when it is time to go to school.
School refusal behavior might happen as early as 5 years. It becomes more common for those between 11-14 years of age. At this stage, children deal with the transition from elementary or middle school to high school. Kids and youth refuse school due to distress. Sometimes they are absent from school without permission
When to Seek Medical Help for School Refusal Behavior?
If you see any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms for more than four weeks, you must contact a healthcare professional.
How is it Treated?
The treatment involves several psychological approaches like cognitive behavior therapy and systematic desensitization, exposure therapy and operant behavior techniques. The goal of the therapy is to help students to change their thoughts and actions into more assertive ways and return to school. Therapeutic techniques like role-playing, reward systems, and modelling result in positive behavior change. Group therapy can be helpful for adults to avoid feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and isolation.
What Can Teachers Do?
School absence is a problem if the students fail to inform the teachers/staff. Teachers should find the behavioral changes in the students and talk to them. They should offer a welcoming and safe environment. Both teachers and parents should help the kid identify and recognize the factors that trigger school refusal behavior. Zero tolerance for bullying, and practicing relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety.
Is it Possible to Prevent or Control Refusal Behavior?
Listening to your kids will help. Understand their anxiety and stress. Know the real reason. Do not blame them but talk to them in a friendly way to know the real reason.
Discussing the benefits of schooling might work with few children. You must convince the child to go to school by explaining the importance.
Reassuring the kid that a parent/caregiver will be helping the child once they are back from school. They should also have confidence that you'll be there for them when there's a problem at school.
Final Words
Treating children with school refusal behavior can be a difficult task. A thorough assessment approach with innovative counselling techniques and emotional support might help.
Read next - Reasons to send your child to playschool .
Ashley completed her degree with nutrition as her major. She loves sharing her knowledge with others and playing with words. After struggling for almost a year to find a job that could make her feel lively, she ended up as a freelance writer. Ashley writes health-related blogs and articles. She makes sure that her works always stand unique and are useful for everyone. Ashley is also a YouTuber who shares health-related videos. She knows the value of the right information and how it can be beneficial to others. Therefore, her only motto is to provide accurate information. If Ashley sounds like that neighbor who you can ask for health tips, take a look at her works.