[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2026\/05\/overcoming-school-avoidance\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2026\/05\/overcoming-school-avoidance\/","headline":"How to Help Your Child Overcome School Avoidance","name":"How to Help Your Child Overcome School Avoidance","description":"

Support your child through school anxiety and refusal with practical steps, emotional guidance, and expert\u2011backed tips.<\/p>","datePublished":"2026-05-19","dateModified":"2026-07-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-1165535297-e1779213663990.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-1165535297-e1779213663990.jpg","height":866,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2026\/05\/overcoming-school-avoidance\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":1755,"articleBody":"Having your child refuse to go to school in the morning can be difficult for parents. But while school avoidance is frustrating, it’s common \u2014 and treatable.School avoidance can display in many ways. Your child may say they don’t feel well and can’t go to school. Or, they may simply refuse to go to school.Avoiding school doesn’t mean your child is “acting out.” School avoidance can be a sign of an underlying pediatric behavioral health condition, such as anxiety.Learn how to talk to your child about school fears. Knowing the signs of school anxiety in kids can help you decide when to seek help for school avoidance.What Is School Avoidance?School avoidance refers to a child regularly trying to avoid going to school. It’s also called school refusal, school phobia, or school reluctance.Many children complain about school or try to avoid going. But school avoidance is deeper \u2014 it often means a child is trying to stay away from school.Exact data on school avoidance aren’t available. But the Kids Mental Health Foundation\u2122 reports that up to 28% of children experience it at some point. It’s most common among kids making a transition to a new school, such as from elementary to middle school.According to a 2023 article in The Journal of Family Practice, school avoidance isn’t the same as truancy. Truancy is linked to antisocial behaviors like stealing and lying. School avoidance isn’t.School avoidance can be a sign of a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition. It’s important to treat school avoidance to prevent possible complications like poor grades and dropping out.What Are the Signs of School Avoidance?School avoidance can display in many ways. For example, a child may:Act reluctant about going to school, asking questions like, “Do I have to?”Claim to have a stomachache, headache, or other illness to avoid going to school. They often appear healthy on the weekends but sick on school days.Complain about having to go to school.Cry, act clingy, or hide when it’s time to go to school.Have frequent tardiness.Outright refuse to go to school.Say they’re too tired to go to school.Struggle to sleep on school nights.Throw a tantrum in the morning to try to get out of going to school.Visit the school nurse or counselor often, trying to go home or avoid classes.Your child’s school may contact you about them skipping classes or refusing to do activities.What Causes School Avoidance?There are many causes of school avoidance. Your child may be experiencing specific problems in school, like bullying or academic problems. Or they could have an underlying mental health condition or neurodevelopmental condition.Mental health conditions and school avoidanceThe two most common mental health conditions that cause children to avoid school are anxiety and depression.Child anxiety is common \u2014 it’s the most common pediatric mental health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 11% of kids ages 3 to 17 have a diagnosed anxiety disorder.Any anxiety disorder could cause school avoidance. Some of the more common ones include:Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) \u2014 A chronic type of anxiety that isn’t tied to a specific cause.Panic disorder \u2014 A disorder that causes bursts of distress (panic attacks).Separation anxiety \u2014 Feelings of stress or worry about being away from parents or caregivers. It’s typically more common in younger children.Social anxiety \u2014 A fear of social situations, such as school. It’s often more common in adolescents and teens.More than a third of children with behavior problems like school avoidance have anxiety disorders, according to the article in The Journal of Family Practice.Depression is also common in kids. According to the CDC, 4% of kids ages 3 to 17 have diagnosed depressive disorders. Depression can cause children to avoid school and social situations.Neurodevelopmental\/neurodivergent conditions and school avoidanceThere are also links between school avoidance and neurodevelopmental conditions, including:ADHD.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Learning disorders.Children with these conditions may find the school environment demanding and overwhelming. That can make them reluctant to go to school.Many children with neurodevelopmental and neurodivergent conditions also experience sensory concerns. The sounds, lights, and number of people in a school setting can easily overwhelm them.Children can also have sensory concerns and not have autism or ADHD.In-school problems and school avoidanceSometimes, children may avoid school because of problems they’re having at school. These can include:Academic struggles.Bullying (including cyberbullying).Environmental issues (like loud noises or crowds).Social struggles.Problems with teachers or administrators.Transitioning to a new school, classroom, or teacher.Trauma.Worry about failing.These in-school issues may be especially challenging for children with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. But any child can struggle with these issues.What Should You Do If Your Child Is Avoiding School?If your child often says they can’t attend school because they’re sick, contact their primary care provider. They can examine them for an illness.Your child’s provider can also screen them for anxiety, other mental health conditions, or neurodevelopmental conditions. The screening may help determine whether there’s an underlying cause for your child’s school avoidance.How Can You Help a Child Who Is Refusing to Go to School?There are many ways that caregivers can help children who are avoiding school. If your child is reluctant to attend school, try the following tips.Talk to themIf your child doesn’t want to go to school, talk to them. Kids often have an underlying reason why they’re avoiding school. Having a conversation with them can help you get answers.Be sure to listen to what your child says, and don’t minimize the cause of their school avoidance.At the same time, be firm about why they need to go to school. Tell them that attending school is a requirement, and that it’s important for their future. But let them know that you’re there for them.Talk to their schoolIt’s important to talk to your child’s school about their school avoidance. Explain that you’re aware of the issue and are working to solve it.If there’s an underlying cause for your child’s school avoidance, you can seek support from the school. That can include:Asking administrators and teachers to address bullying or cyberbullying.Finding a trusted teacher who can help your child during school.Getting support for social issues.Seeking academic support or tutoring for academic struggles.If your child is struggling with a certain teacher, talk to that teacher and the principal about the problem. Advocate for your child and try to come to a solution that works for everyone.Be firmOften, the most challenging time to address school avoidance is in the morning. That’s when children show the most reluctance to go to school. They may cry, throw a tantrum, cling to you, or say they’re sick.The most important time to address school avoidance concerns is when the child is calm, typically after school or on the weekend. It\u2019s important to engage the child in problem-solving about how to make school transitions earlier in the morning and start the night before.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it’s important to stand firm. Tell your child it’s important to go to school, and don’t give in.Be solution-orientedSome creative problem-solving can help ease school avoidance. For example, you can:Develop coping mechanisms \u2014 Some simple coping mechanisms can help with anxiety and other issues. For example, deep breathing may help your child calm down in the morning. Or you can ask them to envision a positive day in school.Establish a routine \u2014 Try creating daily routines for children with anxiety and other underlying conditions. Routines can help calm worries and help kids feel more grounded and independent. Get them excited about a school routine \u2014 like picking out an outfit, eating breakfast, and getting on the bus.Take it in steps \u2014 Some children with severe school issues may need to take a more gradual approach. So, take their return in steps: One morning, have them get dressed for school. The next, have them attend for half a day. The day after that, have them attend a full day. You likely will need to work with the school on this approach.Seek helpIf your child is still struggling with school avoidance, talk to their primary care provider. They may have other tips for you to try. They can also refer you to specialists, such as pediatric behavioral specialists.Treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and\/or medication may help calm anxiety and other school avoidance causes.The Behavioral Science Division at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh offers support for children with behavioral and mental health conditions. We can help families find solutions for school avoidance. For more information, visit our website.SourcesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, School Avoidance: Tips for Concerned Parents. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.healthychildren.org\/English\/health-issues\/conditions\/emotional-problems\/Pages\/School-Avoidance.aspx LinkCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/children-mental-health\/data-research\/index.html LinkChild Mind Institute, When Kids Refuse to Go to School. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/childmind.org\/article\/when-kids-refuse-to-go-to-school\/ LinkThe Kids Mental Health Foundation, How Routines Help Kids' Mental Health. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org\/mental-health-resources\/mental-wellness\/kids-routines LinkThe Kids Mental Health Foundation, New Survey Reveals Top Reasons Why Kids Avoid Going to School. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org\/about\/media-center\/press-releases\/school-avoidance-survey LinkThe Kids Mental Health Foundation, What to Do About School Avoidance. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org\/mental-health-resources\/school\/school-avoidance LinkMette I. Mebostad, Cathrine Orm, Stian Orm, and Anders Nordahl-Hansen, International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, School Refusal Behaviour and Social Skills in Children with Attention-Deficit\/hyperactivity Disorder. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/1034912X.2024.2355340 LinkMerck Manual, Quick Facts: School Avoidance. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/home\/quick-facts-children-s-health-issues\/behavioral-problems-in-children\/school-avoidance LinkRaising Children Network, School Refusal: Autistic Children and Teenagers. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/raisingchildren.net.au\/autism\/school-play-work\/school\/school-refusal-autistic-children-and-teenagers LinkMeredith L. C. Williamson, PhD, Susan Roberman, MD, Kelly Sopchak, PhD, and Taliyah M. Mosley, The Journal of Family Practice, School Avoidance: How to Help When a Child Refuses to Go. Accessed March 2026. https:\/\/research.ebsco.com\/c\/37wkta\/search\/details\/fmlz3dc6qj?request-context=plink&db=aph Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2026","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2026\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2026\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Help Your Child Overcome School Avoidance","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2026\/05\/overcoming-school-avoidance\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]