For some students coping with general anxiety problems, the start of a new school year, especially if it involves transitioning into a new school building, can be particularly challenging. In severe cases, this anxiety can manifest into school phobia. For school phobic kids, the experiences and challenges of the school environment are too overwhelming, and their increased anxiety makes it difficult if not impossible to transition into the school building.
Symptoms of School Phobia
School phobic or avoidant children often have difficulty separating from parents. They may report stomachaches or other vague physical symptoms on school mornings, and they may panic or tantrum at the idea of getting on the school bus or going to school. School phobic kids often have difficulty verbalizing their feelings; therefore, they may present a variety of “reasons” why they don’t want to go to school which may or may not be valid concerns. These kids are often fearful about their own safety and that of their family members. In fact, many kids, especially those with unstable home lives, feel a need to stay home to “watch over” a parent or sibling.
Causes of School Phobia
While separation issues are often a major component, other factors affect school phobia, as well. Among these factors are home stressors such as divorce, a death in the family, financial problems, or transfer to another school. School related issues, such as fear of bullying, learning problems, social problems, or other stressors can also trigger or intensify a school phobia.
Helping Kids with School Phobia Transition to School
There are many ways school personnel can help support kids dealing with school anxiety. Here are some suggestions:
- Get information. It’s best to know about a school phobic child’s issues before school starts. That way, you can sit down with the parents and student and make a plan for how the school phobia will be managed. Be sure to find out if the child’s treatment includes any medication or private therapy, and have parents sign releases so that the appropriate school personnel can contact other people involved in the student’s care.
- Send parents home. In most cases, the presence of a parent only prolongs the transition. It often signals to the student that the possibility of going home exists, possibly escalating the crying and pleading to go home. Once the parent leaves, that potentiality is removed, and the student can work on acclimating to school.
- Provide a safe space. The counselor’s office or other confidential location can serve as a home base for kids who may become overwhelmed throughout the day. Kids can use this spot to check-in, take a break, practice relaxation skills, and review coping skills to use once they return to class. Knowing that a safe space exists for them may give kids the peace of mind they need to enter the school building.
- Teach skills. Relaxation techniques, self-talk skills, and other ways to cope with the phobia can be taught to the student. Continue to use the safe space as a backup while gradually increasing the amount of time the student is in class. Teach the student organizational skills to keep schoolwork from becoming an added stressor. Identify the underlying causes of the school phobia, and try to resolve school-based problems that are contributing factors. Support students in dealing with home based issues that are out of your control. If problems persist and academic progress suffers, a referral to a therapist who specializes in school phobia and anxiety disorders may be warranted.
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