Cómo ayudar a niños con fobia escolar y a sus padres: Guía para profesionales de centros educativos

What is Helping School Refusing Children and Their Parents?

This guide, written by psychologist Christopher A. Kearney, is designed specifically for school professionals working with children and adolescents who exhibit school refusal. It offers a practical, evidence-based approach to identifying, assessing, and intervening in cases of school phobia, separation anxiety, or emotionally motivated absenteeism.

The book combines updated theory with tools directly applicable in the educational environment, facilitating collaboration between the school, family, and therapists.

Main benefits of this guide

Professionals will find in this manual a complete resource for addressing school refusal in a structured way. Among the benefits are:

• Step-by-step strategies for early intervention.
• Real-world examples illustrating the application of techniques.
• Multidisciplinary approach that integrates parents, teachers, and psychologists.
• Adaptability to different ages and school contexts.

Many readers value the clarity of the explanations and the usefulness of the supplementary materials.

Tools and resources included

A particularly valued feature is the inclusion of online assessment tools. These allow for rapid screening of the school refusal profile, facilitating intervention planning. In addition, the book contains checklists, interview guides, and formats for case follow-up.

Practical examples range from mild situations to more complex cases, offering strategies that can be modulated according to severity.

Who is this book for?

This manual is aimed at school psychologists, counselors, social workers, teachers, and educational administrators. It is also useful for parents who seek to better understand school refusal and collaborate with professionals. Although the primary focus is the school environment, the strategies can be adapted to clinical or family contexts.

No advanced prior knowledge is required, as the book explains key concepts in an accessible way.

Frequently asked questions about school refusal

What is considered school refusal? It is the persistent difficulty in attending class due to anxiety, fear, or stress, not attributable to external causes such as behavioral problems.

At what age is it most frequent? It can appear at any stage, but it is common in children aged 5 to 11 and in adolescents aged 14 to 16.

How does this book differentiate between absenteeism and school refusal? The author offers clear criteria to distinguish between disruptive behaviors and underlying anxiety, which is key for appropriate intervention.

Does it include tools for working with parents? Yes, it dedicates specific sections to family collaboration and offers guidelines for managing resistance to change.