pediatrics
School Avoidance
Introduction
School avoidance occurs in about 5% of all school-aged children and affects girls and boys equally. It usually occurs between the ages of 5 and 11. The cause of school avoidance is often unclear, but psychologic factors (eg, anxiety, Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents ) and social factors (eg, having no friends, feeling rejected by peers, Younger children tend to manifest somatic complaints (eg, stomachache, nausea) or make excuses to avoid school. Some children directly refuse to go to school. Alternatively, children may go to school without difficulty but become anxious or develop physical symptoms during the school day, often going regularly to the nurse’s office. This behavior is unlike that of adolescents, who may decide not to attend school (truancy—see School Problems in Adolescents ); chronic truancy is often present in children with a In the absence of a significant underlying disorder, school avoidance tends to result from Poor academic performance Family difficulties Difficulties with peers Most children recover from school avoidance, although some develop it again after a real illness or a vacation. Home tutoring generally is not a solution. Children with school avoidance should return to school immediately so that they do not fall behind in their schoolwork. If school avoidance is so intense that it interferes with the child's activity and if the child does not respond to simple reassurance by parents or teachers, referral to a mental health practitioner may be warranted. Treatment of school avoidance should include communication between parents and school personnel, regular attendance at school with in-school counseling (if available), and sometimes therapy involving the family and child with a psychologist. Therapy includes treatment of underlying disorders, adaptation of the school curriculum for children who have learning disability or other special education needs, and behavioral techniques to cope with the stresses at school. (See also Overview of Behavioral Problems in Children .) 