Why do some kids seem unable to go to school—no matter how much we encourage, reward, or reason with them? In this episode of The NeuroSpicy MomPod, we unpack school refusal through a neurodivergent and trauma-informed lens. 🌻

You’ll learn how emotional distress, sensory overload, and chronic stress create a physiological response that the brain interprets as danger—and why forcing attendance without addressing safety often makes things worse.

We’ll also explore how these patterns show up in adulthood as work avoidance, burnout, or social anxiety—and how healing begins when we stop asking “what’s wrong with me?” and start asking “what is my body protecting me from?”

✨ Listen in for:

• The difference between defiance and distress

• How stress conditioning shapes the nervous system

• Polyvagal theory & emotional safety explained simply

• Tools for co-regulation and self-regulation

• A guided grounding moment to help you reset

💖 If this episode helped you feel seen, please share it and follow the show! Supporting this work—by leaving a review, joining Patreon, or shopping small at TheNeuroSpicyMama.Etsy.com—helps keep this safe space thriving.

Keywords:
neurodivergent parenting, school refusal, trauma-informed, nervous system regulation, gentle parenting, anxiety, ADHD, autism, burnout, co-regulation, reparenting, nervous system healing