My Child Isn't Fine At School

Your child isn’t happy at school. They are protesting in the mornings, or having meltdowns in the afternoons. They tell you that they don’t want to go, and you feel torn between them and the school. School are telling you that the answer is to keep pushing, as you don’t want to reinforce avoidance or behaviour. You feel blamed, and worry that you aren’t doing a good enough job as a parent.

The problems at school are starting to dominate everything about your family life, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. You don't know whether you should keep trying, or give up - and if you do, what happens then?

In this webinar Dr Naomi Fisher, clinical psychologist, will talk about what often happens when a child is saying they don’t want to go to school. She’ll talk about the different ways in which children show their distress and the different causes of school attendance problems. Drawing on her clinical experience, she’ll explain the different approaches taken by professionals and how they work (or don’t work). You’ll leave feeling better informed about what is happening, and more able to make decisions which put your child’s wellbeing first.

Warning, This is not a webinar on how to make your child return to school regardless of what they say. Look elsewhere for that.

Who is Naomi?

Dr Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist and a specialist in autism and trauma. She is registered with the HCPC and has over 16 years of clinical experience in the NHS and private practice. She is the author of Changing Our Minds; How Children Can Take Control of their Own Learning, a guide to self-directed education and A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education.

What have participants in earlier webinars said?

Thank you for appreciating the reality of the situation for parents. It really means a lot to know that there are professionals out there who really ‘get it’ and who are working so proactively to offer appropriate support and advocate for us.

I found your presentation both hugely informative and surprisingly comforting - there is a lot to be said for knowing you are not alone, that there are people out there who understand.

It was a brilliant webinar and every part of it resonated with different experiences I have had with all three of my children.

This webinar is not therapy or clinical advice.

If you are concerned that your child will harm themselves or someone else, please go to your GP.

Cover Illustration by Becky Whinnerah (@BexGonWest)

Agenda

• Not fine
• Interventions: what adults do
• The TRUST test
• ROPE: how can we do better?
• Thinking outside the box

Frequently Asked Questions