Overcoming School Avoidance

“What an achievement! . . . an empowering resource for families.”—Dr. David Heyne, Deakin University, Founding Director, International Network on School Attendance, Founder, Excellence in Attendance Support

“A publication with a heart and a pen. Loved the emotion and care that jumped up from the pages. As a schooling-dependent world, parents and systems are trying to get it right and find solutions for when children do not want to go to school. Schools, too, are finding it harder to offer the care needed to negotiate alternative plans to attend. Overcoming School Avoidance offers a window into the depth of the problem through expert interviews and parent insights. It offers one lens through which to begin to unite education and care. Demsky offers explanations, guidance, and hand delivers to attendance stakeholders, especially parents, a vital resource with strategies to navigate support.”—Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, PhD, Founder, Attendance USA; Professor and Inaugural Dean, Butler University Founder’s College

“Jayne Demsky masterfully guides readers into the daily lives of families who have children who struggle with school avoidance. An urgent and critical read, this book provides evidence, and practical strategies in combination with the lived experiences of individuals who have struggled with and overcame school avoidance. This is a holistic and compassionate roadmap for educators, mental health professionals, and families to understand the foundations of school avoidance, gain confidence in their practices, and begin to reconnect and be together.”—Heather Walter, EdD; Assistant Professor of Special Education; Senior Scholar, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, George Mason University

“As a parent who lived through the heartbreak and helplessness of my own child’s school refusal, I know how isolating and overwhelming this journey can be. When I founded our anxiety and OCD intensive program, it was with the hope that no family would have to navigate these challenges alone. Jayne Demsky’s Overcoming School Avoidance is a beacon of hope and practical guidance for parents. It is filled with compassionate insight, evidence-based strategies, and real-life wisdom that empowers families to advocate for their children and collaborate effectively with schools and mental health professionals. This book is a lifeline—offering both comfort and actionable steps, and reminding us that recovery is possible. Every parent facing school avoidance should have this invaluable resource at their side.”—Linda E. Geiger, CEO & Founder Anxiety Institute