Jenn Ashworth: Why I refused to go to school

Jenn Ashworth is an author with two books under belt. But she refused to attend school from aged 11. She tells her story in the Guardian. She does not provide any answers, but still manages to bring hope.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jan/13/jenn-ashworth-refusing-to-go-to-school?cat=education&type=article

(Thank you Sophy)

Site patterns

I have noticed that visitors to the site peak mid-week, with a distinct fall in numbers at the weekends.

Are we all relaxing at the weekend? Do our problems go away? Or are we just avoiding the issue.

The fall in site visitor numbers during holiday periods is to be expected, but I am wondering if doing enough for our children at the weekends. Perhaps we are getting the support we need from elsewhere, and we only revert to the Forum when desperate for peer support.

It would be interesting to know.

Getting help - or not

From a previous life, on an operational tour in the army, I recall my boss returning from a visit to Headquarters, where he was seeking support for a particular task the regiment had been given.

Looking totally frustrated, he reported that he had been offered all possible assistance - apart from any practical help.

Why is it that so often this seems to be what happens to us, as the parents of a school refuser? Reading a recent entry in the Forum, I see that this is once again the case.

Oh dear!

Mum fined because child 'refuses to go to school'

The Burton Mail reports that Kathleen Harvey appeared at Burton Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to failing to ensure her son, XXXX, regularly attends school.

Magistrate, Tony Winterton, said: “Your son’s records are very poor. It is your responsibility to make sure he goes and you’re going to have to try something else to get him to go.

“We are sentencing you for a small period but you will probably find yourself back before the courts because he hasn’t been back to school once since you were handed the fixed penalty notice.”

Harvey was handed a £100 fine and made to pay £50 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge fee.

This seems on the surface as an example of a family in real need of help, and just being punished for their situation.

Another concern is with the Burton Mail, which published the boys name (deleted above)?

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Mumfined-because-child-refuses-to-go-to-school-29082011.htm

You can read the article here:

Hosting problems

Apologies all around to those who were unable to find the site today.

I changed my hosting arrangements and lost some of the functionality whilst this was in progress.

Hopefully, we are back up and running again now.

Simon

More resources (US based)

I am aware that lots of resources are being shared in the Forum. Here are a few that I have come across recently:

www.ocdchicago.org
OCD Chicago serves adults and children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, their families, and the professionals who treat them. The organization also works to boost public awareness of OCD.

www.Aboutourkids.org
A service of New York University, Child Study Institute, provides information on a wide range of children's mental health issues.

www.academyofct.org
The Academy of Cognitive Therapy provides information and referrals for therapists in your area.

www.adaa.org
Anxiety Disorders Association of America website provides information and referrals for therapists in your area.

www.aabt.org
The Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy provides information and referrals for therapists in your area.

www.ocfoundation.org
The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation provides information and referrals for therapists in your area.

www.latitudes.org
Association for Comprehensive Neurotherapy provides information about alternative and complementary treatment for Autism, Tourettes and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

www.nasponline.org
National Association of School Psychologists website offers excellent crisis intervention resources in multiple languages on such topics as war, terrorism, suicide.

www.nih.gov
National Institute of Health site offers links to information about Pediatric Autoimmune Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS).

www.jjsplace.org
An interactive site about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for kids, parents, and therapists.

Anxiety Action - giving support by email.

Anxiety Action was founded 21 years ago with the help of some very dedicated volunteers. They have helped many people suffering from Anxiety, be it Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia or free floating Anxiety. A non profit making voluntary organisation, Anxiety Action has helped many people towards recovery.

Support is provided via email, with one to one contact, helping towards recovery.