School Refusal Triage & Re-entry Plan

How It Works

Treats school refusal as a pattern to assess and plan for — not a simple "defiance" problem.

Triggers

1. Child repeatedly refuses school or frequently leaves early
2. Somatic complaints spike on school mornings
3. Parent-school conflict escalates

Steps

1. Clarify pattern: onset, frequency, triggers, relief behaviors.
2. Identify likely function: avoid anxiety, seek reassurance, escape performance pressure, seek outside rewards.
3. Coordinate with school: point person, accommodations, attendance goal.
4. Build graded exposure re-entry plan (small steps).
5. Safety screen for self-harm talk, severe depression, or acute risk.

Constraints & Edge Cases

• High-risk mental health signs require urgent professional evaluation.
• Neurodevelopmental conditions may require specialized accommodations.

Expected Outcomes

• A concrete plan instead of daily fights
• Better parent-school alignment