How To Deal With An Autistic Child When They Refuse to Go To School
1) Find Out Why Your Child Is Refusing To Go To School
The first step to addressing your child’s behavior surrounding school time is trying to understand why they might be refusing to go to school. When it comes to dealing with a child on the spectrum who is refusing to go to school, there could be several reasons why they’re refusing to go to school.
School is a place with lots of new people, sounds, smells, and more, and sometimes that can be overwhelming for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But whatever the reason may be, if you’re able to figure out why your child is refusing to go to school, you might have a better chance of helping them.
It could be because of a negative experience they had in school like bullying, classroom anxiety, or even simply missing the predictable comfort of their home. Whatever this reason may be, understanding why they’re refusing to go to school is the first step to solving this issue.
2) Talk To Your Child’s Teacher
If your child’s teacher isn’t already aware of their behavior issues when it’s time to go to school, you may want to bring it up to them. They may be able to help by chatting with them or meeting them at the door with some encouraging words or an intriguing activity.
Talking to your child’s teacher will help him or her better understand your child!
3) Get To School Early
If your child’s refusal to go to school is a habit, you may want to take advantage of being one of the first cars in the car line for a few reasons.
One reason is that you can get there early if you know it will take time for your child to confidently walk to school. The second is that you might be able to walk your child to their class, and that might help their behavior. The third is less anxiety when the school isn’t crowded, which could potentially encourage your child to be able to go to class without feeling overstimulated.
4) Talk Your Child Through What Their Day Will Consist Of
It might be a good idea to talk to your child about what their day will consist of when you’re on your way to school. Tell them about what subjects they’ll be learning, what they’ll be eating for lunch, and maybe even remind them of the friends they’ll see at school. Helping your child understand what to expect might help ease some of that dread and anxiety about school.
What To Do If It Doesn’t Stop
If your child continues to refuse to go to school for more than a few days, and there seems to be nothing else you can do, you might want to seek professional help. A therapist might be able to figure out the reasons your child is refusing to go to school, and work them through their stress and anxiety so they can overcome this behavioral issue.
You’ll also want to let your school administration know about the behavior issues surrounding the school and if they are impacting your child’s attendance. But if the issue has still not been resolved after a while, it might be time to consider other schooling options where teachers and staff will be prepared to help your child with autism in a situation like this.
Changing school settings, while difficult at first, might make the situation much better in the long term.
About Ignite Achievement Academy
Ignite Achievement Academy (formerly named “Manus Academy”) specializes in working with students with learning barriers in grades K-12. Here at Ignite, we IGNITE student learning, IGNITE their passions and interests, and IGNITE their future.
We Help Students Of All Kinds, Including Those With:
- Learning disabilities
- Language disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
Through compassionate, structured teaching practices and support for the whole child, students receive the skills and support needed to thrive. Most students who enroll at IAA have had a long struggle and are relieved when they join us and make friends with other students. Parents often report to us that their child feels successful each day and has a growing sense of well-being. This leads to a full-family benefit.
At IAA, we equip students with training to build essential academic skills to successfully complete coursework, solve problems, and meet the academic and social demands of their school environment. Contact us today to learn more about Ignite Achievement Academy, request information, or schedule a tour of our campus!