Attendance Matters: When are Absences Considered School Avoidance?
![Attendance sheet with student icons and checkmarks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736452550/bsd405org/x9xowerqimrjpqtv8mye/AttendanceAvoidanceThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736452550/bsd405org/x9xowerqimrjpqtv8mye/AttendanceAvoidanceThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1736452550/bsd405org/x9xowerqimrjpqtv8mye/AttendanceAvoidanceThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736452550/bsd405org/x9xowerqimrjpqtv8mye/AttendanceAvoidanceThumbnail.png","width":960}])
Attendance Matters: When are Absences Considered School Avoidance?
“School avoidance” is when a child refuses to attend school or has difficulty remaining in school the entire day. There are many reasons why students avoid attending school, and uncovering the reason why your student is avoiding and/or refusing is key to fixing it.
School avoidance may look like:
- Full day absences from school
- Going to school but leaving early
- Going to school, but only after crying, hiding, having an outburst, or refusing to move
- Faking illness to miss a day of school or having physical symptoms related to anxiety (e.g., headache, stomachache, nausea, etc.)
- Showing unusual distress about going to school and begging you not to make them go
| I Think My Child May Have School Avoidance, What Can I Do to Help? |
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Contact your child’s school team |
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Make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician |
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Check out the resources from Seattle Children’s |
We’re Here to Help
Supporting a child in working through their school avoidance can be overwhelming, painful, and feel hopeless at times. Please know you do not have to solve this heavy task alone. Your child’s school team is available and eager to partner with you. We welcome and encourage you to reach out to us with your concerns.
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