How to Handle School Refusal From Your Teen With Autism

September 13, 2023 Kami Cothrun

Everyone dreads going to school at some point, but if your teen with autism is frequently upset or anxious about going to school, it can be challenging to know how to help. Sometimes these fears and anxieties can cause them to have trouble in the classroom, resort to troubling behaviors, or even miss days of school. These behaviors can also make it difficult to adhere to your family’s daily schedule and routines. So how can you help your teen with autism cope with not wanting to go to school? Here’s what you should know about school refusal.

First…What is School Refusal?

School refusal is an emotional behavior where a teen experiences distress about getting ready for or attending school and is something many teens with autism may face. This can occur in varying degrees, but no matter the severity, school refusal can disrupt your family’s daily routine.

School refusal can range from a reluctance or refusal to leave the house, begging to leave after arrival or halfway through the school day, difficulty sleeping the night before, pretending to be sick, and preschool meltdowns or aggressive behavior when the topic of school arises.

These emotions and behaviors may be persistent throughout the school year or may become more prevalent after time away or a long break, like going back to school after summer vacation.

Each situation is unique and there can be many reasons your teen with autism doesn’t look forward to going to school. Some of these reasons include:

Sensory overload in the classroom
Nervousness about tasks associated with school, like homework or social interaction
Stress about taking the bus or getting to school
Anxiety about leaving loved ones or their home environment
Feeling left out amongst their peers
Difficulties meeting the expectations of the curriculum
Concerns about bullying from other teens

5 Strategies to Combat School Refusal: Tips for Parents

If your teen with autism can verbally communicate, ask them to share their feelings about going to school and provide a safe space for them to open up about their school routine, fellow students, and teachers if these are causing a source of stress for them. If your teen struggles with communication, you can implement a rating system using numbers, shapes, or colors to help categorize positive and negative experiences.
It’s no secret that daily routines are a necessary part of life for teebs and teens on the autism spectrum. Routines help establish consistency, reduce stress, and prepare your teen for what to expect from the day. A consistent morning routine can help start the day off on the right foot and lead to fewer surprises that might result in outbursts or refusals.
Your teen may be experiencing separation anxiety from a loved one, stuffed animal, toy, or pet. If your teen is experiencing anxiousness about leaving the house, remind them that everything at home will be just the way they left it when they return and work to maintain that truth. Keep familiar items in the same location and establish routines that help your teen feel comfortable about returning from school.
Returning to school after a long period away can be challenging for anybody! To help your teen prepare, try working out a back-to-school routine well before the first day back. This can be a good opportunity to listen to your teen’s concerns and work out any fears before they become an issue.
Do your best to acknowledge the small victories—remember, there are no limits to what your teen can achieve when you look past the label and focus on the able!

For more handy autism resources, check out these helpful posts:

At PS Academy Arizona, we believe teens should look forward to each and every day at school; that’s why we strive to provide a welcoming, sensory-friendly environment that focuses on each teen’s unique abilities and encourages teens and teens with autism to thrive.

Learn more about our specialized programs or reach out to an enrollment specialist today.