Understanding School Refusal: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
School refusal is often more than reluctance—it can be a sign that a child’s needs aren’t being met in their learning environment. Rather than focusing solely on attendance, it’s important to understand the underlying sensory, emotional, or social factors contributing to a child’s distress. In this article, we explore how paediatric occupational therapists work collaboratively with families and schools to identify these needs and implement tailored supports. By creating safer, more responsive environments, children can gradually build the confidence and regulation skills needed to re-engage with learning and daily school routines.
Why Does My Child Get Overwhelmed by Small Changes?
Some children, especially those with autism or ADHD, experience heightened sensitivity to change due to differences in brain development, particularly in a process called synaptic pruning. Typically, the brain refines its neural connections over time, removing unnecessary ones to improve efficiency, but in neurodivergent children, this process may be less active, leading to an overload of sensory information. As a result, minor changes in routine can feel overwhelming, triggering strong emotional responses like meltdowns or rigidity. Understanding these neurological differences allows parents and educators to approach children’s reactions with empathy and implement supportive strategies, such as structured routines and predictable environments, to help them feel more secure.
What does it mean to be neurodiversity affirming?
Neurodivergent children, for example those with ADHD or autism, have a brain structure and chemistry that is fundamentally different from typical brains (or neurotypical brains). Navigating the healthcare system for a neurodivergent child, whether they are autistic, have ADHD, or face specific learning differences, can be challenging. Often, traditional assessments and therapies are designed to "correct" neurodivergent traits, focusing on perceived deficits rather than celebrating the child's unique strengths.
At Hi Thrive, we are committed to a neurodiversity-affirming approach.