Overcoming School Avoidance : What to Do When Your Kid Won't Go to School

Parents and educators who want to help children dealing with school refusal will find the guidance and resources they need in this authoritative guide from the founder of the School Avoidance Alliance.

A compassionate guide that tackles one of the fastest-growing issues facing families everywhere: the increasing number of children who are refusing or reluctant to attend school. Often misunderstood as defiance or opposition, school avoidance can be a sign of deeper emotional or mental health challenges. Yet, many parents find themselves unprepared when these behaviors arise and struggle to find the right support. In this first-of-its-kind guide, Jayne Demsky—founder of the School Avoidance Alliance—provides a comprehensive roadmap for parents who feel isolated and overwhelmed by their child’s school avoidance. Demsky offers practical strategies that help parents work with school administrators, navigate truancy laws, and most importantly, provide the structure and emotional support their children need to return to learning. Demsky explains how to strike the delicate balance between discipline and compassion, offering advice on how to set boundaries while addressing underlying mental health needs. Through expert interviews with mental health providers and insights gathered from the School Avoidance Alliance’s large and active parent community, Overcoming School Avoidance sheds light on this complex issue. This is more than just a how-to book—it’s a compassionate and timely resource that aims to restore confidence and hope to parents and help children return to a productive and fulfilling school life.