What causes school avoidance or phobia?
For young children school means spending a lot of time away from home. Not only do children miss home in the school setting, but they are faced with new experiences, challenges and pressures (both social and academic). Some children adapt very nicely into the new environment yet others miss home, a source of anxiety and fear. In some children home or family factors can play a role; For example if there is an illness in the child or family, a recent divorce/separation or if one parent is stressed or depressed. These situations may either cause school phobia or worsen it. Symptoms or signs of school refusal Not surprisingly school refusal symptoms occur most often on school days, and are usually absent on weekends and during the summer holidays. The obvious signs of school refusal include: • Refusal to attend school • Creating reasons why not to go to school • Missing a lot of school • Frequent complaints about not feeling well with vague or non-specific complaints In rare cases, school
