What if school refusal is not defiance, but a signal? In this episode, we look beneath the surface at the real reasons kids resist school—from executive function challenges and shame, to sensory overload and fear. Learn how to respond with curiosity instead of control, and how to work with your child to build solutions together. Tune in to solve school battles and restore your kid’s confidence for learning.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why school refusal is often about overwhelm, not laziness
• The emotional layers of shame, anxiety, and perfectionism
• Social stress, bullying, and peer rejection as hidden drivers
• Why safety and nervous system regulation matter for learning
• How to use the ACE tool to open productive conversations

Related Links: 

• 3 Step Method to ACE Communication with Complex Kids & Teens
  https://impactparents.com/blog/complex-kids/3-steps-to-ace-communication-with-complex-kids-teens/
• EP114: Curiosity & the Coach-Approach Transformed the Tone of Her Home
  https://impactparents.com/the-coach-approach-to-parenting/ 
• EP138: How Do I Get My Kids to Talk To Me? 4 Communication Tools
  https://impactparents.com/child-communication-tools/ 
• EP207: Rebuilding Trust with Teens: Cleaning the Slate Conversations
  https://impactparents.com/rebuilding-trust-with-teens-cleaning-the-slate-conversations/
• EP253: Get Curious, Not Furious: A Better Way to Parent Complex Kids
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep253-get-curious-not-furious-a-better-way-to/id1565976964?i=1000749220683
  
  

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