Understanding Anxiety-Driven School Refusal and How to Intervene
Overview
School refusal, defined as a student’s reluctance or refusal to attend or remain in school due to anxiety or emotional distress, is one of the most significant contributors to chronic attendance difficulties. This training will address how to identify school refusal as it differs from truancy or other causes of school absences. We will outline the drivers of attendance difficulties specific to school refusal, noting how cycles of anxiety and avoidance maintain and can exacerbate attendance difficulties. We will offer practical school-based assessment and intervention strategies to support a student's attendance, re-engagement, and successful return to school. Attendees will also receive implementation tools and resources to support the presented strategies.
Learning objectives
- Define and identify school refusal, including how it differs from truancy and other attendance concerns
- Discuss the cycle of anxiety and avoidance that can maintain and exacerbate school refusal over time
- Identify key components of a school refusal assessment, including what information to gather and how it informs intervention planning
- Apply evidence-informed intervention strategies to address school refusal within a school setting
Training times
This training is provided at the time(s) and in the format(s) shown below.
| Date | Time | Format | CE Credits | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
October 28, 2026 (Wednesday) | 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Online |
1.5 CEs
| FULL |