Inability to attend school due to anxiety

[SheWoreARaspberryBeret123]

Hoe do you persuade your anxious child to try going into school?

I'm at the end of my tether here 🙈

The LGO have decided a financial remedy is appropriate, you don’t get to decided what was needed. They don’t award a financial remedy if it isn’t just.

It’s also worth pointing out regardless of reason if the OP’s DC can’t attend school s.19 applies as it covers by reason of illness, exclusion or otherwise.

However, if OP’s DC is unable to attend school due to EBSA they do have SEN. OP may not realise that initially because many doesn’t realise the scope of what is covered by SEN.

As previously said, s.19 provision and an EHCNA will help OP’s DC. Just because you don’t agree doesn’t make it untrue.

She doesn't know he hasn't had his needs assessed.

I'm not engaging with you further after this post.

You have called me vile for taking the correct legal steps to get a child who was anxious in school an appropriate education.

You have implied I have lied about not knowing my child had sen when he started refusing school.

You know nothing about EBSA.

I have said all through this thread that I don't think it is always the right thing to do to force an anxious child into school until you know the underlying causes. I stand by that.

My child tried to kill himself when I did things like trying reduced timetables because I listened to people like you rather than trusted my own instincts and listened to him.

If the OPs child can manage those things then great. I also said that in several posts. She should be led by what he can manage not by what people who dismiss and minimise child mental health issues think on the internet.

I dont agree and you are just 2 random people on the internet. I haven't read anything useful for the OP in anything either of you have said.

All of this 👏🏻

I'll ask again what experience do you HAVE of EBSA?

I said gross not vile. Your too dramatic and too invested in your own scenario you cant see the wood for the trees.

And you have NO EXPERIENCE of EBSA

Gross is just as bad a vile by the way.

I'm out. I said I was a few posts ago. But I am now. Shocking how dismissive you are of OTHER children's needs as a SEN parent.

Just as random as you…

Just because you don’t agree doesn’t mean it isn’t useful.

Agreed so let's leave it at that. I hope the OP tries to encourage her child back to school through exposure a well recognised tool for dealing with localised anxiety. I of course would never suggest she not pursue a diagnosis should she consider underlying SEN that has caused EBSA but she has said many times that she does not. I am not trying to sway her but to suggest she considers all options not just mine or yours. Her child is her child. She knows him best.

This thread is very timely. Our DD had a panic attack at school today (yr9) and got sent home. Normally test related but not this time and she can't tell us why. She has FASD so highly anxious at the best of times. SENCO very aware of her issues but we aren't making progress. In queue for CAMHS and should be early next year when she is seen. It's all so tough

I am not trying to sway her but to suggest she considers all options not just mine or yours.

And yet you have repeatedly tried to shut me and @lifeturnsonadime down, telling us not to comment.

OP’s DC does have SEN if they can’t attend school because they are so anxious it is leading to EBSA. OP may not realise it is covered under SEN as many don’t, but it is.

I beg to differ. He probably just needs a break from school in order to forget what is discouraging him. In that time he can grow confidence, recharge his batteries, learn different coping mechanisms and maybe even start to miss school. Hang in there and continue to speak positive words over him - I'm sure he will thrive in school once again 🙏

Thank you. That's a positive way to think 🙏

I am going to consider all options here. If my child does have SEN they have been masking it very effectively for a long time.

Have their GP prescribe some anti anxiety medication to calm the anxiety.
Then they can try one class to start with and build from there.

Are they OK going out places? To the shops, etc.?

I agree with this too. I was highly anxious pre-covid. Pretty much agoraphobic by the end of the lockdowns, hardly left my house and only if i was with someone. With time and patience (and meds and therapy) im almost back to my old self.

@emptythelitterbox lots of GPs won't prescribe anxiety meds for under 18s
Mine certainly wouldn't for a 15 year old.

It's tragic and cruel that they won't and let young people suffer rather than prescribe something short term.

Gp cannot prescribe anxiety meds to children.

GP can't prescribe anxiety meds to kids.

Even if you spend a couple of years on the waiting list to see CAMHS, it's unlikely that a child or young person will meet the criteria for medication.

They shouldnt prescribe because there is an increased risk of suicide with them, so it needs to be carefully monitored. This wouldnt be an issue if the people who can prescribe didnt havecsuch long waiting lists.

I've been there op but my dd does have sen. So a bit different. But she now goes to an alternative provision school. It is for children with a diagnosis of ASD but it's also got a hospital school attached. Tutors go out to homes or hospitals to teach children who for whatever reason can't physically be in school. This includes children with severe anxiety. The school has access to therapists too so this helps to get some mental health support in place quicker than camhs. Some children then go on to attend the school to get used to going again, and as it's very small with class sizes of around 8 then it's less overwhelming. They then introduce the children back into mainstream at a slow pace.
Thought id share in case this becomes an option.

Best of luck x

My GP said she could prescribe beta blockers for anxiety for my then 14 year old. But he had asthma so couldn't take them.
Obviously every case is different and my son had reached the point where he couldn't leave his bedroom.
The GP referred us to the CAMHs crisis hub and we were seen very quickly.

What do you see as SEN? Many people think it only includes things like ASD and ADHD. But being so anxious it leads to EBSA is a SEN in its own right. And DS isn’t masking that.

I am going to consider all options here. If my child does have SEN they have been masking it very effectively for a long time.

I think you’re missing folk saying that anxiety which prevents school attendance is a SEN in its own right.

Have you considered testing for any mental health issues ie ocd aspbergers..I mention it as my son had anxiety around school but in fact what was realy going on was not the school but his own problems .