Talking ASD & ADHD: School Avoidance(783) For parents/carers in Herts.

If you are reading this, you may well be supporting a young person who struggles to attend school regularly.

You may suspect, or have been told that, your child is struggling with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (ESBA).

You may be feeling guilty, judged, overwhelmed or that your parenting is lacking because you can't get your young person into school as much as you should.

As the parent of a child with additional needs you may have seen your child struggle with the anxiety of going to or being at school for years, and the global pandemic may have made this issue even bigger.

If your son or daughter is unable to engage with school, is distressed at the thought of going to school, or displays challenging behaviour when they are going, you are probably extremely worried.

So many parents are asking us how they can support their child who is struggling, make sure that they do not miss out on their education and meet the school's expectation that their child attends.

At Supporting Links, we help parents to use new knowledge and strategies within their own families and, thereby, support their child by informing, encouraging and giving parents the opportunity for reflection and a change of approach.

So during this session, we will will share:

• What is Emotionally Based School Avoidance and is this what your child is experiencing?
• Common causes and triggers of school avoidance.
• Practical steps you can take to support your child
• How to work with your school in your child's best interests.
• Where to access further help and support, both locally and nationally.

Previous attendees have said:

“Thank you. I found this workshop so helpful. There was lots of practical advice... especially the advice on how to speak to the school... I don't feel so alone!”

“This is a really stressful time for my family and this workshop did help. Helpful visuals, full of information to use and I do think I will be able to move things forward.”

Parents and carers who attend will leave understanding what is happening for their child and what they can do about it.

The workshop will take place via Zoom and will incorporate a Q&A session.

This workshop is provided free to parents by Herts County Council and it is open to all parents and carers of children aged 2-25 years old with suspected or diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Disorder and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who are living in Hertfordshire.

Supporting Links is an independent company.

To ask a question or for more information contact Noushin Rahman-Blake, Supporting Links on 01442 300185 or email info@supportinglinks.co.uk.