When a young person often misses school, it’s easy to jump to conclusions; laziness, disorganisation, poor parenting and many more negative stereotypes may come to mind.
But for some young people, it’s incredibly distressing to walk through the school gates, let alone engage in their schooling all day, every day.
We call this ‘school can’t’, also known as ‘school refusal’.
So, how exactly can ‘school can’t’ manifest itself? The signs go beyond poor attendance.
It can look like tantrums, hesitancy to get ready on school mornings, frequent lateness to school, or recurring pleas to go home or to the sick bay.
‘School can’t’ can be linked to issues at home or school, but it’s also often connected to anxiety disorders, autism and ADHD.
Open communication and active listening are key. If your young person is struggling, foster a supportive, non-judgmental environment where they feel comfortable opening up to you about school.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that this isn’t a choice for young people, and pointing fingers at others doesn’t help matters.
Instead, parents or guardians should get in touch with the school. In doing so, everyone involved gets the full picture of the young person’s situation and can work together to develop a plan.
This may include adjustments that meet the young person’s needs, such as a gradual return to school, flexible learning options or modified curriculum content.
At home, try positive reinforcement, where you congratulate your child on their efforts to overcome their school-related distress, thereby boosting their confidence and motivation.
Exploring deep breathing and mindfulness activities and encouraging them to follow a consistent before-school routine also may help.
At Impact Community ACADEMY, our staff collaborate with each young person to develop personalised learning plans based on their emotional, social and academic needs.
We integrate health and wellbeing into every aspect of student life, with the ‘Wellbeing First’ model serving as our compass. After all, students can’t reach their full potential if they aren’t feeling safe within their body or in the right headspace.
Always know that you’re not alone, and support is available. If you’re in Queensland and your child is experiencing school-related challenges, you can contact the Regional Youth Engagement Service for help.
Organisations like School Can’t Australia also offer lived experience peer support and resources for parents and guardians.
‘School can’t’ is a complex and growing issue, but by prioritising wellbeing and working together, we can make a difference for young people now and into the future.
By Jenna Auer, Impact Community ACADEMY Principal
