ABSTRACT
School refusal is a child’s avoidance of school which is known to his parents. It is almost always linked to anxiety, although this may only be apparent when attempts are made to get the child back to school. As an over-simple generalisation, school refusal is associated with disorders of emotion, and truancy with disorders of conduct. Hybrid conditions occur, including elements of both truancy and school refusal. In some areas, the school educational psychologist may also be involved in helping young people who find school attendance anxiety-provoking. To establish the necessary working relationship with school and agree a timetable for return, a meeting should be arranged as swiftly as possible in school, including ideally any involved professionals, the class teacher, both parents and the child. The prognosis is better in younger children, and in those who have been out of school for only a short time.
