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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Tough for us all right now. AD struggling, & lashing out. We feel let down by health services, we’ve had some assessments over phone, but no actual F2F support from mental health practitioners. AD won’t engage with websites & apps, we want a real diagnosis to help her. We keep looking #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

AD struggling to find her way, scared to go to bed, scared to wake up. Scared to go to school, scared not to. Scared that she might have ASD/ADHD, scared that she might not. We just want to help her to make things less scary. ASD/ADHD assessment is next #KidsMH #Anxiety #SchoolAvoidance #SchoolFear

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

A few weeks away from social media. AD still really struggling, no school at all for 3 weeks. 1st ND assessment complete, recommends full ADHD/autism assessment. Seeking support from The Children’s Society for emotional training. Still trying to navigate through this with her #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

AD was happy at the weekend, had a friend to stay. Back to school avoidance with a vengeance now, won’t engage, won’t get into a routine. Heartbreaking to not be able to help her. She started counselling again yesterday, hoping to see some progress #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

AD crossed the school threshold 3 times this week. 1st for our meet with head of year, then after school to spend an hour with mentor, and today for form time & first lesson. She got up & dressed at 5.30 this morning! Whatever it takes, we carry on🤞🏻 #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolRefusal #SmallSteps

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

The roller coaster continues. AD hasn’t gone to school yet this year, but has more responsive at home these last couple of days. We met her head of year today and have a gradual return plan that she’s agreed to. We’ll see how it goes, and keep encouraging her #KidsMH #SchoolFear #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

AD didn't make school at all this week, & some of her behaviour at home was a little alarming. We had a telephone consultation with local CAMHS yesterday, who are referring us for extra support. Positive start to the weekend, AD is up & has gone out for breakfast with her friends #KidsMH #SchoolFear

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Another day, another refusal. AD barricaded herself in her room last night, says she hates life. School have told us they’ll no longer authorise absence without evidence of mental health issue from GP. All feels hopeless right now, not clear how we can help her. #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

AD hasn’t made it to school yet, so 2 days down already. We’re really seeing her grappling with this & just want to protect her mental health, so we’re not forcing school at the moment, she needs to find her own way with our support. #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal #SchoolAnxiety

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

School starts tomorrow. It’s been a tense day, but we’ve had a calm evening, favourite dinner, and she’s gone to bed early, to be ready. We can see that AD has been anxious today. We’ll see how the morning goes #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolFear #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Xmas holidays have been a mixed bag, AD is mostly happy, but we've had some moments where her anxiety has spilled over. We've visited GP to talk acne treatment which might help be a root cause. We're all looking positively to school starting again next week #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Tough week for AD. Went out ice skating with school friends, was upset when she came back as she thinks that they’re looking at her spots/acne. We missed this as a school/public anxiety cause, but now it’s so obvious and is key. We’re onto ways to support her with this today #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

It hasn't been a great week for AD. Hasn't been able to manage her school anxiety & her routine is all out of kilter, late nights, unable to get out of bed in the morning, very withdrawn. We're trying to help her, but falling on deaf ears. Hoping the Christmas break acts as a reset for her #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

No go for school today ☹️. The relentless fear that she has is heartbreaking, we feel so powerless to help. Concerned at the amount of school she is missing & her reluctance to do work at home, we're considering the daunting/impossible prospect of home-schooling. #SchoolFear #SchoolRefusal #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

This weekend we’ve been out a little as a family, AD had her BF over for a sleepover. All was good. Tonight, she’s anxious, angry, locked in bathroom and refusing to speak to us. The only obvious trigger is that it’s Sunday night. ☹️ #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolFear #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

AD's anxiety is still causing her problems today. Last night she got her bag packed for school, even though PE was first lesson today, & that makes her even more anxious. This morning, she just can't bring herself to get ready, she's too scared, hiding under her bed covers. #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH 😔

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Back to a no-go today. Even just going in for a couple of hours yesterday seemed to wipe out her energy and confidence as she battles her anxiety. She still got a cold too, we see how she feels tomorrow. #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolRefusal #SchoolFear #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

AD still feeling unwell today but, that hasn’t stopped her. She got up, got ready for school and has gone in! She’ll only stay for a couple of hours before we pick her up, but so proud of her for facing down her anxiety and fear this morning. #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

AD has a cold today, so despite getting up early she wasn’t really up to school anyway. Our more relaxed approach has removed tension from the family, just need to figure out how we can help her to help herself back to school now #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

AD is trying so hard to manage this, she wants to go to school. She does her evening routine, tries to relax, but we can see that she’s anxious by bed-time. This morning she got up & started to get ready, but her anxiety was too much & made her crash. It’s heartbreaking. #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety #EBSA

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

No-go again today 😔. We’ve had to re-learn how to react. Where we’d once try to coerce, persuade, reason, shout, to get AD to school, we now try to encourage but give her space. It can feel like we’ve given up, we haven’t, just trying to support without overwhelming her #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety #EBSA

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

This evening, AD is talking about what job she wants to do, and what subjects she needs to do at school. She’s preparing and packing her school bag to go tomorrow, she really wants to go! We know she’ll be scared in the morning, we’ll support her however we can #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Managed to get AD out of the house last night to watch little sister in her performance of Grease. It was at AD’s school, so we saw some anxiety in the queue whilst waiting to go in. But she did go in, and even enjoyed herself! #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

There's a few interesting articles in the UK press at the moment about this. Sad to see so many families going through this (but also reassuring that we're not alone!) #SchoolFear #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH #Education www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Ofsted 'alarmed' by school absence and 'flexi-schooling'

Ofsted's chief inspector says he is worried about the number of pupils who are partly home-educated.

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Another day, another no-go for school. Refusal isn't the right term for it, AD wants to go but, whatever plans she maps out the day before, her anxiety and fear is so great in the morning that it overwhelms her, and she just wants to hide from us. #SchoolFear #SchoolAnxiety #KidsMH

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Very anxious about school again and not going. But, there's glimmers of positivity today. AD is out of bed, dressed and fed, she's talking about how she feels and trying to understand why. Less withdrawn and engaging with us, we'll take that for today. #Kids #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

AD is not doing well this week. She’s scared, and angry, hiding herself away from us. No school at all so far. It feels very desperate. We’re trying all we can as a family to encourage her, but we can’t find the right approach right now. #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

This week is particularly bad. AD won’t get out of bed, hides under her duvet, won’t talk, won’t eat when she needs to. Verbally abusive, threats to hurt herself. We’re desperately worried for her. Hugs and encouragement is all we can offer #KidsMH #SchoolAnxiety

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Another day of anxiety for AD. She won’t go to school today. We got her out to the cinema yesterday, but not without a fight. Increasingly worried that she’s isolating herself at home, not wanting to leave the house. #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Trying to get AD to engage at the weekend can be just as hard as during the week. She’s quite withdrawn, and has been angry with some self-harm threats. We’re planning a family cinema visit today. Hoping that she doesn’t self-sabotage as sometimes happens when we make plans #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

It's a teacher training day today, so no school for us to worry about. AD told us last night that she was disappointed that she didn't go to school yesterday & that she was worried we'd be angry with her. Lots of positivity needed this weekend to prepare her for the week ahead #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Back to Earth with a small bump today. AD won’t get up and get ready for school. The signs were there last night, grumpy and picking fights. A day of lots of love and encouragement ahead to remind her how well she’s done these last 2 days. #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

On Wednesday mornings AD meets a mentor at school, a teacher that she’s known since primary school. It helps to get her into school at least for that meeting. Today, her mentor’s persuaded her to stay in for another hour for her music lesson. Small, positive steps! 🙂#KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Another success! 5am routine again and she’s just gone into school for a 2nd day on the run. Only staying until 10 again, but these have been a positive couple of days, we need to build on this #kidsMH #schoolrefusal

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Reposted by Dad to an Anxious Child

aslynn is just a ghoul 👻 @aslynnromano.com · 27/11/2024

Paraphrased: “These findings suggest that social anxiety exerts comparable influence in Autistics and non-Autistics Therefore, Autistics with high social anxiety may not represent a specific subtype of autism Rather, social anxiety exists separate from the autism phenotype”

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

She’s done it! A crazy routine of getting up at 5am, breakfast at 6 and in the school car park before 8. She’s only going to stay until 10, but just getting ready and crossing the threshold means that today is a win! #kidsMH #schoolrefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

I’m at work today. Post-covid hybrid working means I only have to be here 2 days a week, and wife is part-time, so is home on those 2 days. Sad to say that being away from home and at work is almost a relief for us both. Waiting for news on whether AD makes it to school today 🤞🏻#KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

AD has talked through & agreed a plan with us so that she can go to school tomorrow. Of course we've been here before, usually without success. A slight hiccup, like some extra traffic, or a misplaced word tonight, will put paid to it. But at least she's talking about it #KidsMH #SchoolRefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

We can get frustrated by the lack of a clear pathway for support. Local Mental Health services are stretched, so follow-up with CAMHS is slow. We’re steered to counselling, but is that enough? Should there be some clinical psychology too? The care plan is not at all clear. #kidsMH #schoolrefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Monday morning. Another refusal. A question we ask every day, so what next? Not a lot seems to be improving for AD, the more we try, the better chance we have, don’t we? Counselling & adaptations by school don’t seem to be helping. So, what now? No-one really seems to know. #kidsMH #schoolrefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

I’m very aware that these posts are quite negative. We do have good times as a family. AD still enjoys art, she’s quite happy in her own little world, and this afternoon she’s gone out with her closest friend, so it’s not all bad. But we do wait for the inevitable crash after the good times. #kidsMH

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Emily Widnall @emilywidnall.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Please share! I am currently interviewing professionals who support young people with self-harm & suicide (prevention & postvention) as part of The 4S Study. Areas of focus: Bristol, N.Somerset & South Glos, Birmingham, Lincolnshire & Tees Valley📍 Sign-up 👉🏼 forms.office.com/pages/respon...

sites.exeter.ac.uk

About 4S

The Support Systems for Self-harm and Suicide (4S) Study is a research study investigating how secondary schools, colleges and governing bodies of youth organisations in England deliver self-harm and ...

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

A common pattern is that she looks for a fight, especially on a Sunday, before the school week starts again. We’ve had shouting and self-harm threats already today. Walking on eggshells is hard for us all, we don’t want to be scared of her #anxiety #mentalhealth #schooltefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Her anxiety continues at the weekend, She lashes out, verbally mostly, little sister getting the brunt of it. We’re getting better at managing it, and trying to get her to talk it out, but it’s tough, especially on youngest daughter. #anxiety #mentalhealth

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

2/2 ...but waiting lists times were "several years". We went with an NHS Right to Choose referral, which still leaves us with a 12-18 month wait, for an assessment that may or may not be conclusive. #anxiety #schoolrefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

1/2 A note on one of the things we're trying. We see some traits that might be signs of autism, over-sensory around crowds and noises, a little bit obsessive, a little bit manic. But we don't really know. We tried to get an ADHD/autism assessment via a "normal" NHS pathway... #anxiety #schoolrefusal

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Dad to an Anxious Child @dadtoanxiouschild.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Sent the dreaded morning email to school, another day missed due to her anxiety. Heartbreaking to see how disappointed she is in herself, and so frustrating to not be able to do anything to help her to overcome this. We'll try again after the weekend. #schoolrefusal #anxiety

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Kimiko Shibata @eslfairy.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

“Trouble with memory or focusing is the most common long COVID symptom in kids aged 6 to 11. Back, neck, stomach and head pain were the next most common symptoms. Other behavioral impacts included “fear about specific things” and refusal to go to school.” www.scientificamerican.com/article/long...

scientificamerican.com

Long COVID Is Harming Too Many Kids. They Need Help.

Pediatric long COVID is more common than many thought, and we keep letting kids be reinfected with new variants

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News Feed @news-feed.bsky.social · 13/05/2024

@guardian: So-called ‘school refusal’ must be tackled with compassion, not hard-hearted discipline | Paul Daley t.co/FYkBFbj6bu

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