What should I do if my child has school refusal syndrome?

Generally, treatment methods for children with school refusal syndrome mainly include psychological counseling, parent-child communication adjustment, optimization of the learning environment, interest-based guidance and motivation, and professional medical intervention. Specific details are as follows:

1. Psychological Counseling

School refusal is often associated with psychological factors such as academic pressure and experiences of frustration. Professional psychological counseling can help children process negative emotions. By listening to the child's inner thoughts and guiding them to view academic difficulties in a constructive way, anxiety and inferiority can be alleviated, fostering a positive attitude toward learning and reducing resistance at its root.

2. Parent-Child Communication Adjustment

Poor parent-child interactions may intensify a child’s aversion to school. Parents should move away from lecturing or blaming and instead adopt an encouraging communication style. Focus on the child’s learning progress rather than grades alone, actively participate in their learning journey, and provide companionship and support so the child feels warmth and motivation from family.

3. Optimization of Learning Environment

Noisy or oppressive study environments reduce motivation to learn. A quiet, tidy space should be created for studying. Coordinate with teachers to improve classroom atmosphere, avoiding peer comparison and excessive criticism from educators, allowing the child to engage in learning within a relaxed setting.

4. Interest-Based Guidance and Motivation

Linking study content with a child’s personal interests increases engagement. For example, teaching through games or extending lessons from topics the child already enjoys can make learning more appealing. Setting achievable short-term goals and providing timely rewards upon completion helps reinforce a sense of accomplishment in learning.

5. Professional Medical Intervention

If school refusal is accompanied by serious emotional issues such as depression or anxiety, medical assistance should be sought. Under medical supervision, medications such as sertraline hydrochloride tablets, paroxetine tablets, or venlafaxine extended-release tablets may be prescribed, combined with psychotherapy for comprehensive symptom improvement.

In addition, patience is essential throughout the adjustment process—avoid pressuring the child due to impatience. Parents and teachers should collaborate closely, regularly sharing updates on the child’s academic and emotional status to jointly develop personalized support strategies. If symptoms of school refusal worsen progressively, with behaviors such as truancy or refusal to communicate, prompt help from professional institutions should be sought to prevent delayed intervention.