Emotion Based School Avoidance; Understanding School Attendance Difficulties Through a Nervous System Lens
🗓 Date: Feb 24th 🕒 Time: 7-9pm Location: Zoom
When an Autistic child cannot attend school, it is rarely a choice. More often, it is a nervous system responding to overwhelm, unmet needs or a loss of felt safety.
This expert-led webinar supports parents and educators to move beyond behaviour-based explanations and towards a deeper understanding of school attendance difficulties through a nervous system lens. Drawing on current neuroscience, lived experience and neuroaffirmative practice, this session reframes school avoidance as a protective response rather than a problem to be fixed.
Together, we will explore why school can become inaccessible for some children, how distress shows up in ways that are often misunderstood, and why well-intentioned strategies can sometimes escalate stress rather than reduce it.
All participants will receive a comprehensive e-book containing the key content and practical resources from the webinar. The session will be recorded, and registered attendees will have access to the recording for 7 days following the live event.
What You’ll Learn
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Why school attendance difficulties are best understood as a nervous system response, not defiance or refusal
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The hidden stressors within school environments that can activate overwhelm and shutdown
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How distress can present as masking, exhaustion, physical symptoms or emotional collapse at home
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Why pressure, incentives and attendance targets often backfire
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Practical, realistic supports that prioritise regulation, safety and connection
Who This Webinar Is For
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Parents supporting an Autistic child who is struggling to attend school
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Teachers, SNAs and school leaders seeking a deeper understanding of school distress
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Guidance counsellors, SEN teams and allied professionals
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Anyone supporting children where anxiety and school attendance are closely linked
No prior knowledge is required. This session is grounded, compassionate and practical.
What You’ll Leave With
Participants will leave with:
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A clear framework for understanding school distress through a nervous system lens
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Language that reduces blame and increases collaboration between home and school
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Neuroaffirmative tools that support regulation without overwhelming the child
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Greater confidence in responding with empathy, clarity and calm
Why This Matters
When we understand what a child’s nervous system is communicating, our responses change.
This shift creates space for safety, trust and gradual re-engagement, not just attendance, but wellbeing and belonging.
Register now to secure your place at this transformative webinar
Meet Your Expert Instructor: This course is thoughtfully presented by an experienced autistic professional with over 25 years of dedicated experience in supporting Autistic individuals. With my guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and strategies.
Why Choose This Course:
This course is designed with empathy and neuro-affirmative support at its core. Connect with a community that understands and values neurodiversity. Equip yourself with practical tools for enhancing the lives of those you support. A welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all. This training is delivered by a fully CPD accredited trainer.
Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of Autistic individuals. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!