School Phobia

What if there was an epidemic that could prevent up to 10% of America’s school children from attending their daily classes? In reality, such a disease has already manifested itself as a regular trend in our school systems under the form of school phobia. School phobia, also known as “school refusal,” is exactly what its name implies—a fear of going to school. Though this may sound like a typical childhood fear, school phobia is a serious problem that our society must address, for many reasons. One being that a key principle of our public school systems is that we strive for an equal education for all students. If we ignore the fact that so many students are struggling to even get to school, how are we providing a fair opportunity to all children? Another reason for school phobia’s importance, simply put, is that its recognition and resolution is required by law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which dictates what educational hindrances are to be handled with state intervention, lists school phobia as an “emotional disturbance” that interferes with a child’s education. In addition to these factors, school phobia is of special interest to me due to my own personal struggles with a mild form of the disorder. Never having been diagnosed, I thought my unwillingness to go to school was a result of some form of laziness—a common myth that has been easily debunked by research. It is from this standpoint that I urge the need for a flexible procedure in diagnosing and treating school phobia. Considering that studies suggest that the nature of this disorder is just as diverse as the many students it affects, I feel it is necessary that schools approach the problem with an open mind and a specialized procedure that will enable each student to have a healthy experience in school. In this web site I will discuss the nature of school phobia and several key approaches to the handling of the disorder, before offering my own conclusions. The methods that follow include a school/student-centric approach, a family-centric approach, and a community approach.