It’s extremely common for children to experience back-to-school anxiety. According to statistics published by the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 31.9% of young people aged 13-18 experience anxiety in their lifetime.
It is also common for parents of young children to find the back-to-school season stressful and anxiety-inducing for themselves. This is because when a child starts to experience chronic stress or anxiety, it can affect the whole household.
If your family struggles with the back-to-school season, it may be useful to get professional advice from a professional who has completed online doctoral programs in counseling. They can provide strategies for the whole family to manage stress and anxiety.
If you’re looking for tips you or your family can implement during this stressful time, this article is for you. It also delves into why families may find the back-to-school period stressful, especially for parents of neurodivergent children.
Understanding back-to-school anxiety
Going back to school can be an exciting time for kids, but it may cause others stress and anxiety. This is especially common for neurodivergent children or kids who are starting at a new school.
While the anxiety should fade away as the school year goes on, for some kids, it may worsen and be debilitating. Fortunately, a parent or guardian can help ease their child’s anxieties.
The first step to supporting your child is understanding what back-to-school anxiety is and what factors can contribute to developing it. It’s also essential to understand that it can affect any child, regardless of their background and academic achievement.
Why do some kids get anxious?
There are many reasons why a child or teenager may be stressed and/or anxious about returning to school. These include:
- Academic pressure: Feeling stressed about achieving high marks and/or increased workload.
- New environment: A new school, teacher, or change in classes can contribute to anxiety.
- Friendship crisis: A friendship (or relationship) crisis, like a fight or argument, can cause stress and anxiety.
- Bullying: If your child is facing hardships and being bullied at school, this can result in anxiety and their feeling reluctant to return.
Certain demographics also have a higher chance of experiencing back-to-school anxiety. For example, if the children are neurodivergent, have learning/thinking differences, are part of a marginalized community, and/or are from a lower socioeconomic status.
What is neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence refers to people who have variations in their neurological and cognitive function. Essentially, their brains develop and/or function differently. It’s an umbrella term that encompasses many medical conditions, such as autism and dyslexia.
People who aren’t neurodivergent are classified as “neurotypical”. It’s important to understand that neurodiversity is a positive term. It describes and celebrates the natural differences between how people think, communicate, and learn.
Examples of conditions linked to neurodivergence include:
- Autism
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Dyslexia
- Synesthesia
- Sensory processing disorders
- Personality disorders
Neurodivergence will vary depending on the individual, and it’s also possible for a person not to recognize they are neurodivergent. Because of how a neurodivergent child’s brain differs when it comes to communicating and learning, they can find school and change stressful.
Research has also found that 42% of parents of children under 18 have at least one neurodivergent child—it’s quite common. Parents of neurodivergent children are also more likely to report feeling more stressed, scared, unprepared, and/or lonely than other parents when it comes to the back-to-school season.
How to help ease their stress
If you’ve noticed your child has back-to-school anxiety, there are a few ways you can help. Below, we’ve listed a few steps you can take to help ease their anxiety and support them as they return to learning.
Actively listen
The first step to supporting your child when it comes to going back to school is to ask how they’re feeling and actively listen to their concerns. Let them express their anxiety and voice their fears in a judgment-free space.
Furthermore, rather than dismissing their worries, listen and acknowledge your child’s feelings. This will help them feel heard, validate their feelings, and is the first step to helping them strategize about how to handle what they’re concerned about.
Ask how they want support
When it comes to supporting your child with their anxieties, it’s important that you do it on their terms. Ask how they want support and help with managing their stress or fears. Don’t force any decisions upon them and only act with their permission.
Seek professional guidance
If your child’s stress or anxiety becomes chronic, it may be beneficial to seek professional guidance. A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or counsellor, can help your child build strategies to manage their mental health or may recommend medication.
