Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP whose son is in a similar position. If you are in MCPS, you might want to check out the Bridge program and also the ED programs. There is at least one ED program in each cluster. There is also RICA, but that's a last alternative.

There really is a lot of support for kids with school refusal and severe anxiety, even in the home school. But you do need an IEP to access the supports and the special programs.

Please dont recommend the ED program for a child like this....the ED program is not therapeutic and a lot of the time it further traumatizes children that have anxiety and depression. Many times the ED cluster is inappropriate, but the school has nowhere to put students with behavioral issues. RICA is horrible and I would not even recommend that place to an enemy.

OP, what county are you in? Have you heard about the Double Robot? AACPS will use the Double for kids with anxiety, so the child can still attend class without actually being there in person. MCPS has 4 Double's, but none are deployed yet. According to my source, it will be sometime this month that one of my client's gets a double robot.

I feel for you though. This is a tough spot. Give me a call and I will give you 30 minutes of my time to give you some feedback on your issue and give you some names of people you can reach out to if necessary. 202-779-1554
I will be in my office today until 3pm.

I am the PP that you are responding to. I am not recommending anything - I don't know OPs kid. What I was saying is that MCPS offers a lot of support and has different programs. And, while you may not like them, I know many families whose kids have been in ED and RICA and are very happy. In fact, I don't know any who had a bad experience in these programs. If OPs son doesn't improve, they are worth looking at, even if they turn out not to be the right thing.

Anonymous wrote:PP whose son is in a similar position. If you are in MCPS, you might want to check out the Bridge program and also the ED programs. There is at least one ED program in each cluster. There is also RICA, but that's a last alternative.

There really is a lot of support for kids with school refusal and severe anxiety, even in the home school. But you do need an IEP to access the supports and the special programs.

Please dont recommend the ED program for a child like this....the ED program is not therapeutic and a lot of the time it further traumatizes children that have anxiety and depression. Many times the ED cluster is inappropriate, but the school has nowhere to put students with behavioral issues. RICA is horrible and I would not even recommend that place to an enemy.

OP, what county are you in? Have you heard about the Double Robot? AACPS will use the Double for kids with anxiety, so the child can still attend class without actually being there in person. MCPS has 4 Double's, but none are deployed yet. According to my source, it will be sometime this month that one of my client's gets a double robot.

I feel for you though. This is a tough spot. Give me a call and I will give you 30 minutes of my time to give you some feedback on your issue and give you some names of people you can reach out to if necessary. 202-779-1554
I will be in my office today until 3pm.

Better day.

Big hugs Op.

I hope tomorrow is better and your son gets the support he needs. Our DD with anxiety and OCD since she was 6, on meds for past year, now dealing with the middle school and getting her on and IEP. People are so surprised because they make assumptions based on how friendly she is and happy. That she does well in school. Poor girls is twisted in knots most of the time.

Anonymous wrote:He met with therapist today and seems happier. Wants to go to school tomorrow. Cross fingers.

As a parent whose BTDT, a big hug to you OP. I know the desperation and glimmer of hope that comes along with this territory.

He met with therapist today and seems happier. Wants to go to school tomorrow. Cross fingers.

Anonymous wrote:PP whose son is in a similar position. If you are in MCPS, you might want to check out the Bridge program and also the ED programs. There is at least one ED program in each cluster. There is also RICA, but that's a last alternative.

There really is a lot of support for kids with school refusal and severe anxiety, even in the home school. But you do need an IEP to access the supports and the special programs.

By definition, a kid with anxiety so bad he can’t even get to school would definitely qualify for a 504 plan - the disorder (anxiety) is so bad that the child is “substantially limited in the life activities of ... going to school, learning, etc.

A kid with severe anxiety would be eligible for an IEP if the 1) disorder (Anxiety), was so bad that it was having 2) an adverse effect on education (because the kid can’t even get to school) and 3) necessitated special instruction.

On the latter point - necessity for special instruction - this can mean either changes to the general instruction beyond more traditional accommodations like extra time, extended deadlines, etc. OR instruction in areas not traditionally part of general education instruction (like how to manage anxiety, how to self-advocate, how to interact in socially appropriate ways when anxious, etc.)

Be careful how you deal with school if you have a strong student. I have a DD who is a high academic achiever but also struggled with depression. Pulling her out of school or out of challenging classes would have made a bad situation worse. Boredom fertilizes depression as does taking away opportunity instead of facilitating opportunity in adverse conditions.

Re: teachers - that teachers are surprised a strong student could be anxious is classic stigma. “You’re so smart, you get such good grades. You couldn’t be depressed or anxious.” This sends the message to kids that you must be OK if you have good grades. You can’t get help unless you’re failing. I don’t believe you. You’re fine. Depressed or anxious kids are stupid and you’re not. If you’re struggling, it must be because you’re lazy. Talk to your kid about how he views teachers reactions. you may be surprised at what you find out.

PP whose son is in a similar position. If you are in MCPS, you might want to check out the Bridge program and also the ED programs. There is at least one ED program in each cluster. There is also RICA, but that's a last alternative.

There really is a lot of support for kids with school refusal and severe anxiety, even in the home school. But you do need an IEP to access the supports and the special programs.

He never seems anxious to the teachers. They were floored it was a problem. Stellar student.

Just asked today. Again this just started being really bad. I emailed hen asking for it.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the advice. With school refusal they are reluctant to do himebound instruction but maybe it can keep us on track until new therapist kicks in. 504 request is being sent in today. This has all come to a head very quickly. Trying to stay above water. Teachers have informally done 504 accommodations in the mean time. - removed some assignments, etc. He doesn’t need flash pass because when he is at school he is fine. Right now his anxiety is so bad he cannot go in.

To me, this indicates that you need to do some more talking with your child to understand perspective. Also, journaling and reviewing with a cognitive behavioral therapist to compare - what were the thoughts student was having about school before school vs. how it really turned out and learning about various negative thought patterns like catastrophizing.

There might be a trigger to anxiety that makes him balk at home - is he socially anxious about walking in to school alone? Or a bus ride? Or a particular class that sets off anxiety?