School Avoidance

When children show developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety about attending school to the point of chronic tardiness or absenteeism, they may be experiencing school avoidance. School avoidance is a behavioral symptom often associated with anxiety disorders and other psychiatric diagnoses. Children with school avoidance manifest excessive anxiety or distress which manifests as difficulty in attending and functioning at school.

School Avoidance Behavior can include the following:

• Difficulties getting to school due to behaviors at home including crying, refusing to leave their bedroom, upset stomach, among others.
• Goes to school without difficulty, but leaves early after spending time in the nurse's office, guidance counselor's office, or another safe place
• Completely absent from school

SCHOOL AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR IS OFTEN (OR CAN BE) ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOLLOWING: