Special educational needs and disabilities and neurodiversity
If you feel that your child’s additional needs or disability could be causing them difficulty in attending school, it is important to share this information with their teacher or school SENCO.
You can request the school SENCO or GP refer your child for further assessment if you feel they need additional support at school. If you haven’t already done so, you can request an EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan) assessment to ensure they are getting the support they need. You can ask the school to start the process too.
Neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia can often contribute towards the reasons behind your child’s school refusal. They can also be difficult to identify, especially if your child has become well-rehearsed in masking their behaviour at school. This can be very draining for the child and may result in challenging behaviour once they get home and feel safe to express themselves.
It is important to ensure the school is aware and able to respond to your child’s needs, and to discuss the best learning environment for your child moving forwards. If your child is absent due to a neurodiverse condition you may want to ask your GP to write a letter to the school.