Teen School Refusal with Dr. Jennifer Bienstock

[@tinahalle3575]

My daughter was school refusing before the pandemic was even a thought on anyone’s minds which makes me wonder …. Was it really the pandemic that caused it or did the pandemic just make kids begin to see that they felt safer and more mentally well at home . Some kids , especially introverts and those with autism tend to feel more emotionally regulated at home . We didn’t even know until she was 19 that she was autistic. I suspected it, had her tested and they said she wasn’t . I had her tested a second time only to find out she actually was autistic and was misdiagnosed the first time .

[@brianclark4040]

This has been an extremely frustrating issue for my teen. It is producing stress for my wife and me. We are concerned our teen may have to repeat a grade if we can’t get her to change her behavior.

[@soulkitty11]

Thank you for this! I've been going through this with my son. Very helpful.

[@brandyrivera5108]

HI! Me too!

[@bridgetc9484]

My freshman sleeps 12 hours. Trying light therapy. Started in mid November. Doesn’t do the homework when he is awake. He just doesn’t care. Works out at 7-8pm. Does not feel the need to change nor does he fear the repercussions. Also refuses therapy.

[@parentingteenswithdrcam]

It sounds frustrating!! The only one that truly knows why he doesn’t care is him. I’d get curious about that. Many kids refuse therapy because they feel it puts the blame on them and in truth it’s often more about miscommunication. Sending you positive thoughts!!

[@melodyrayne]

This was very helpful and educational. Thank you!

[@brianclark4040]

I feel Iike there is too much leniency in the zeitgeist. We (GenX parents) just had to go to Schol at that age-no exceptions. What are solutions? Can’t bodily take kids to school and wouldn’t want to….

[@parentingteenswithdrcam]

Brian, I feel your struggle! I'm seeing a lot of school refusal in my practice. Focus on trying to get to the root problem. Some common ones are academic pressure (fear of failure), feeling bullied by peer or teacher, social anxiety, undiagnosed learning difference, and frankly, boredom. Once you know the WHY, you can work towards a solution with your child. Make it less about having the option to go to school, but options about HOW to overcome the obstacle to get to school.

[@curiouslyme524]

I agree. I was severely bullied in school but I still went to school.