It’s another morning battle with your teen, and you are wondering how to deal with school refusal. School refusal in teenagers is more than simply skipping school occasionally. Often, when teens won’t go to school, it’s because they have an underlying issue that is causing them to want to stay home.

The Ridge RTC is a trusted teen treatment center dedicated to helping teens with mental health challenges. Let’s take a closer look at teen school refusal and discuss some steps that you can take to help your teenager.

Understanding School Refusal

The Department of Education states that in 2023, 28% of students were chronically absent. While not all of these cases are due to school refusal, many are. When teens refuse to go to school because they are afraid of social situations or other stressful events, it is a more serious issue than simply being lazy or not wanting to go to school. Teenager school refusal is often a symptom of a much larger problem, like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Some common signs of teen school refusal include:

• Crying before school
• Panic attacks
• Complaining of being sick frequently
• Outright refusing to leave the house

Common Causes of School Refusal in Teenagers

Some common causes of teen school refusal include:

• Bullying or conflict with classmates: Fears related to bullying or being excluded from “in-crowds”
• Mental health issues: Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Family or home-life issues: Arguing, divorce, death of a family member, or other traumatic events
• Learning difficulties or academic pressure: Grades, college prep, or a fear of failing
• Sensory sensitivities & neurodivergence: Feeling overwhelmed due to loud noises, crowded halls or lunchrooms, or being on a tight schedule

Steps to Help a Teen Struggling with School Refusal

1. Find Out Why Your Teen Won’t Go to School

The first thing you should do when your teen won’t go to school is simply talk with them about it. You must approach your teen with empathy, curiosity, and without judgment. Let them know you genuinely want to know what is wrong so you can help them fix it.

2. Identify and Address the Root Cause

You’ll want to determine the main reason your teen won’t go to school. Maybe it’s anxiety or bullying from another student. You could consider getting a professional evaluation to determine if any learning disorders or mental health issues may be the underlying cause.

3. Work with the School for Support

Request accommodations, such as a 504 plan, IEP, or a modified schedule, to help encourage your teen to attend school. You could discuss your teens’ concerns with counselors, teachers, or administrators and see if they have any suggestions to help your teen transition back to school with less stress. 

4. Gradual Exposure to School

It’s best to ease them back into school gradually. You can start small by exploring the possibility of shorter school days with online assignments, partial attendance, or a hybrid approach that combines in-person and remote learning.

5. Teach Coping Skills for Anxiety

You can teach your teen coping skills for when they experience anxiety at school. For example, you could teach them how to practice deep breathing techniques. You could also share some grounding or mindfulness techniques, such as coloring or journaling.

6. Consider Alternative Learning Options

If traditional public schools are too stressful, consider alternatives such as online school, hybrid models, therapy programs, or homeschooling. 

When to Seek Professional Help

You should seek school refusal help if:

• School refusal lasts for weeks or months despite your efforts
• Your teen is showing severe signs of distress, panic attacks, or symptoms of depression
• Your family feels like therapy would help the situation

How The Ridge RTC Can Help

The Ridge RTC works with teenagers to address underlying issues like anxiety or depression in group and individual therapy sessions. We offer academic support and reintegration strategies to help your teen return to school gradually. Lastly, we offer family therapy and parent coaching to strengthen the family dynamics and help foster a calm and supportive home life.

School Refusal Help with The Ridge RTC

It’s vital to find out what is causing the school refusal, whether it’s anxiety, bullying, or some other underlying cause. If you force attendance, you may not be able to get to the bottom of the issue.Seek help for teenage school refusal as soon as you see the signs, because early intervention can help prevent long-term academic and emotional issues. If your teen is refusing to go to school, don’t wait. Contact The Ridge RTC today for information, resources, and treatment options.