Anxiety and missed school

[Northernsoulgirl45]

Dd has anxiety and getting her into school has become challenging to say the least. Her attendance is very poor.
She is in the early stages of CAHMS referral but waiting lists are long.
Just wondering how schools should handle this please.
Thank you

Honestly, I've found that anxiety is 100 times worse when school is missed. If DD2 was allowed to miss school every time she was anxious, her attendance would likely be 5%. But I know that even one day off school makes the next day so much harder (she struggles so much more if she has an INSET day on a Friday or Monday) and that if she misses school she'll then be anxious because she doesn't know what's going on.

I think the school should be working with you to identify and manage the triggers for her anxiety, but ultimately she needs to know that avoiding things that make you anxious doesn't help.

DD2 has to go to school. Even when her tummy really hurts (GP is sure it's anxiety). But in return, I accept that when she gets home, she's completely spent and I'm not going to get much out of her all evening.

I agree that she needs to be in school and I am constantly pushing this and trying to make her see that not being in school actually makes things worse.
The school have provided some support which had worked to a degree but it is so hard.

14. When she was little I could get her in easily enough but niw if is so much harder.

The senco has been supportive and come up with a few adjustments to help.

My DD suffers anxiety too. I've attended a workshop run locally which helped me understand why it's happening, showed distraction techniques to lessen her anxiety and showed how my reactions and interaction was important. I'm happy to email it to people if they PM me an email address.

There's also some apps which can help - 'fear tools', 'flowsy' then also Google for more

Camhs wouldn't help my daughter as she's under their age bracket but they have told the school to refer to CHATS counselling and we're now waiting for that service to pick up the referral

Thank you seeking. Will take a look.

@Seekingwellness my son is suffering with anxiety at school drop off,and I’m acutely aware that I need to be careful with my reactions. It’s so hard to know how to handle it.

It is so hard. I am at the stage now where I am running out of ideas so started early help process. No idea if I have made right decision but I am feeling broken and need more support.

Have you got people you can talk to yourself OP,friends/partner?

Yes I have dh and siblings thank you

It’s so hard,I understand. At least reading these boards you know you’re not alone

Thank you.