School difficulties
What are school difficulties?
Going to school is usually an exciting and enjoyable event for children and young people, but sometimes there might be things going on in a student’s life which can make the thought of going to school distressing for them. Many children face challenges at school at different stages of their development. While occasional struggles are normal, ongoing difficulties can affect learning, confidence, and the overall wellbeing of your child. Understanding the early signs can help families seek support early and create a more positive school experience for their child.
School can’t’ is contemporary, affirming language used to describe the difficulties a child might have in attending school. Children who struggle with attending school, attending regularly or staying at school. It is not a behavioural problem, but rather better formulated as an anxiety or stress response to a particular environment. School can’t can cause tremendous stress for parents and the family unit. However, with the right support and treatment, things can become easier for both children and parents alike. School can’t may be secondary to things like Autsim, ADHD or anxiety in children.
If your child is struggling with difficulties at school or school can’t, please reach out. Our psychologists understand school difficulties including school can’t and are here to help both children and parents. Please contact us to find a child psychologist in or adolescent psychologist in Melbourne.
Symptoms and impacts of school difficulties and school can’t
School diffiuclties and school can’t can be very stressful for families and parents. School Can’t Australia is an organisation focussed on parent and carer supports for school can’t. They have a large community and lived-experience knowledge for school attendance difficulties and offer resources, support and guidance for carers. If your child or teen is autistic, Amaze has some good resources available here.
Signs and Symptoms of school difficulties
- Trouble keeping up with classwork or understanding new concepts
- Difficulty concentrating or staying focused during lessons
- Avoiding homework or becoming easily frustrated by school tasks
- Frequent complaints of feeling unwell before school
- Changes in behaviour, such as irritability or withdrawal
- Difficulty following instructions or classroom routines
- Struggling with organisation, planning, or remembering tasks
- Increased tiredness or emotional overwhelm after school
- Trouble interacting with peers or bullying
How this may present in your child
- Falling behind academically or receiving lower grades
- Refusing to go to school or showing distress in the mornings
- Conflicts with peers or difficulty making friends
- Emotional outbursts during homework or challenging tasks
- Relying heavily on adults for reassurance or help
- Avoiding reading, writing, or other specific learning activities
- Becoming quiet, anxious, or disengaged in class
- Feeling “different” from classmates or losing confidence in their abilities
- An increase in sickness before school, such as belly aches
Factors that may be the casue of school can’t
- New situations, such as the first day in a new class
- Bullying
- Learning difficulties
- Feeling lost at school
- Fear of getting into trouble
- Fear of not getting along with the teacher or other students
- Fear of failure, such as concerns the work will be too hard
- Separation anxiety
Signs and Symptoms of school can’t
- Reluctance to attend school and emotional distress when faced with the prospect of attending school
- Avoidance behaviours (not wanting to get out of bed, not wanting to get ready for school, hiding or refusing to leave the house, refusing to get out of the car)
- Psychosomatic symptoms which occur before school (e.g. nausea, stomach aches, headaches or shortness of breath). These symptoms will reduce when the threat (fear of going to school) is removed
- Having lots of worries and a strong need for reassurance
- Crying, being clingy or fidgeting when nervous
- Sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, nightmares or trouble sleeping alone
So, what can I do?
School difficulties and school can’t can be confusing and stressful for both children and families. These challenges are often misunderstood as a lack of effort, when in reality many children are trying their best but need extra support to thrive.
Our clinicians can help by providing assessment, guidance, and practical strategies to support your child’s learning, emotional wellbeing, and school success. Reaching out early can make a meaningful difference in your child’s confidence and daily experience at school. Please contact us to find a child psychologist or an teen psychologist in Melbourne who might be a good fit.
We have Medicare rebate psychologists and telehealth psychologists in Melbourne. We also have Workcover psychologists and TAC psychologists.
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