Getting professional help

IT IS HELPFUL to seek professional guidance to learn about managing school refusal and understand the underlying issue behind it. If your child says that he/she feels sick, make an appointment with your GP to investigate.

If there are no physical reasons for your child to feel sick, your GP may refer you to a paediatrician, child psychiatrist or psychologist. A psychiatrist or psychologist will usually perform an assessment to see whether the school refusal is linked to issues such as anxiety or depression.

Treatment for your child may involve cognitive behaviour therapy, which helps your child learn skills to deal with anxiety about going to school. These skills include relaxation, social skills and helpful thinking about school.

For your child, returning to school might start with small steps toward full-time attendance.

A psychologist or psychiatrist can also help with parenting strategies as together you work to improve school attendance.