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About this episode

In this episode, Brett and Ellen discuss:

• Understanding School Refusal: The episode opens with a discussion about what constitutes school refusal, distinguishing it from simple unwillingness to attend school. It’s described as a complex issue often rooted in anxiety and stress, rather than just misbehaviour or disinterest. School refusal is increasingly recognised as a significant issue affecting a large number of students.
• Prevalence and Impact: Brett shares statistics indicating that school refusal affects two in five Australian families, underscoring the widespread nature of this challenge. This highlights that school refusal is not a minor issue but a significant challenge impacting a substantial portion of the student population, with various underlying causes and degrees of severity.
• Parental Insight and Action: Ellen emphasises the importance of parents listening to their children and trusting their own judgement when dealing with school refusal. She suggests that parents often have the best understanding of their children and cautions against universal solutions, advocating for tailored approaches to each child’s unique circumstances.
• Considering Alternatives and Seeking Expert Advice: The hosts discuss the necessity of seeking professional assistance to understand and tackle the root causes of school refusal. They stress the importance of considering different educational options, including homeschooling, and the potential need for psychological support to assist children in expressing and addressing their fears and anxieties.
• Redefining Success and Looking Ahead: The episode concludes with a call to redefine what success means for children experiencing school refusal. Ellen and Brett highlight that success should be measured by a child’s overall well-being, confidence, and contentment, rather than adherence to conventional schooling standards. They offer hope and optimism for families navigating school refusal, emphasising that with appropriate support and strategies, children can overcome these challenges and flourish in various educational and life paths.