Children and young people on the autistic spectrum are particularly vulnerable to school avoidance. In this talk, Suzy discusses current practice and strategies and raises many questions for discussion:

1. Balancing your child’s emotional and educational needs.

2. Strategies to manage child and adolescent anxiety.

3. Co-producing your child’s support plan with the school.

4. How to restore your child and family to positive emotional well-being.

Suzy will examine the stories behind school avoidance, sharing the words of some of the young people and families she’s spoken to in writing her forthcoming book. In the last few years (even before Covid), staggering numbers of pupils have been absent from school, not just missing a day here or there, but many are absent from education for long periods at a time. This is devastating for families and children and creates a daily atmosphere of stress and worry.

Suzy Rowland is an author, Autism & ADHD Specialist, Adaptive Cognitive Behaviour Therapist & Speaker. She founded the Happy in School Project to provide creative and interactive training and consultancy, rooted in lived experience. She works directly with local authorities, families and young people, examining challenging issues and situations and building connections, that enable educators and families to work collaboratively, for successful educational outcomes. The project started off as a forum for autism & ADHD parent advocacy and quickly developed into detailed training programmes for mental health professionals, educators and complex organisations. Suzy is also a presenter for Women’s LIK UltravisionTV. Suzy’s S.E.N.D in the Clowns ‘Essential Autism, ADHD Guide’ was a best seller in Amazon’s neurology listing; her next writing project is a children’s workbook about school avoidance.

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School Avoidance: the truth behind the tears - from barrier to breakthrough