Good morning,
When working with an older teenager who has anxiety/panic which is now manifesting itself in school refusal, I understand the concept of making their "school day at home" free from privileges that they wouldn't have during their typical school day. What are your thoughts about social time spent with friends after school or weekends? Parents are extremely frustrated with teenager and are wanting to take away that privilege of hanging out with friends at this point since she is now refusing to go to school. If the child/teenager's thoughts are I'm too sick (anxious) to go to school, then it stands to reason that they would be too sick to socialize although it doesn't always work that way.
I appreciate any input. Thanks.
Thanks so much. We did just that. Decided that school refusal on a particular day would impact restriction of privileges on that evening and go day by day, all the while providing support. The weekends would remain as time for socialization.
I try not to impede the maintenance of social connections and interactions. Would focus on the school days and would probably allow child to meet with friends on the weekend. This helps to maintain more connection with school, especially when the peers are from the same school/class. Eli