The ADHD Parenting Podcast Anxiety and School Avoidance with Kristen McNeely, LMFT
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Dec 18, 2024 Kristen McNeely, a Licensed MFT and board-certified behavior analyst specializing in anxiety and ADHD-related issues, joins the conversation. She breaks down the differences between school avoidance and refusal, emphasizing the need for parents to recognize underlying triggers. Kristen discusses the role of well-meaning accommodations and introduces SPACE therapy as a method to support anxious children. The talk highlights the importance of collaboration with schools and offers actionable strategies for parents to tackle school refusal effectively.
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Episode notes
Avoid Reinforcing School Refusal
- School refusal often worsens when schools respond by allowing students to avoid attendance rather than teaching coping skills.
- Encouraging escape from anxiety reinforces the problem rather than helping children manage their discomfort.
Reassurance Fuels Anxiety Cycle
- Parental reassurance frequently backfires, fueling a cycle of anxiety rather than easing it.
- Anxiety feeds on "what if" thoughts, making reassurance a reinforcing accommodation.
Don't Accommodate Anxiety
- Avoid accommodating a child's anxiety by letting them escape stressful situations like school.
- Teach resilience and coping skills to prepare children for life's challenges compassionately.