Today’s Lesson: Finding Help At A School Refusal Treatment Program

School refusal in young girls is something that can become a problem too large to fight at home. When your child refuses to go to school, convincing them to go can be quite a battle. A school refusal treatment program may be the best next step for your family.

What is School Refusal?

School refusal is not the same as the occasional urge to “play hooky”. Instead, this is a more consistent and aggressive plea to miss school. This serious type of school refusal differentiates from other occasional desires to skip in the following ways:

• How long a child has been avoiding school
• How much distress she associates with attending school
• How strongly she resists
• How much her resistance is interfering with her (and her family’s) life

Before jumping to conclusions, you might consider that there could be an underlying reason as to why they dread going to school. School refusal can accompany disorders such as separation anxiety or social anxiety. Your child may also be a victim of bullying or may be in a difficult class that overwhelms them. It is important to identify these things so that you can help create a plan for your child to overcome these things.

Talking  School Refusal Treatment Programs

The words “treatment program” can be intimidating to hear. However, this can be a great way to get your child the help they need. To help you better understand how the program works, here is a list of the two main objectives achieved through a school refusal treatment program:

1. The initial evaluation. You child will have an initial diagnostic evaluation, as well as a consultation with the child’s school. During the evaluation and consultations, professionals will work to identify the function of school refusal in order to determine an appropriate treatment.   
2. Treatment plan. Treatment will is tailored to match the child’s unique needs. The immediate goal will be returning the child to school as quickly as possible. Depending on the child’s concerns, treatment may involve gradual exposure to feared situations. Other possible factors of treatment could involve: skills training, anxiety management training, or helping parents with limit setting and rule enforcement. The treatment team will work closely with school personnel to assist them in providing an appropriate transition plan back to school for the child. By the beginning of the second week, it is expected that the child will begin to attend school at least part time. 

Asheville Academy can help

Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for girls ages 10-14 who struggle with learning, behavioral, and emotional diagnoses. This program is social, emotional, and academically focused in order to empower girls to move forward and transition smoothly back into their home and school life. Students gain a greater sense of confidence, ability to manage emotions, and the skills to communicate effectively. We can help your family today!

Contact us at 800-264-8709