What is Emotionally Based School Avoidance?
The sudden onset of PANS or PANDAS can quickly lead to attendance difficulties that can initially be misinterpreted as Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
Contrastingly, young people with PANS or PANDAS can subsequently develop EBSA. This creates a complex relationship which requires informed and tailored responses from families, schools and educational professionals.
PANS PANDAS UK has created a series of videos, and a comprehensive guide, to help all stakeholders understand this relationship, whilst providing practical support and best practice approaches.
Scroll down for the guide and individual videos, or watch the entire playlist on YouTube.
Hi Vicky, tell us a little about yourself…
What does the term EBSA mean to you, and to the families and schools you have engaged with?
How does EBSA fit into the narrative of PANS and PANDAS?
If a young person is experiencing EBSA, what behaviours and challenges can families and schools face?
How can parent carers and educational settings work together to support a young person experiencing EBSA?
What advice can you share for when a young person is unable to attend school at all?
Accompanying guide
This guide, written by our Education Lead Tina Coope and reviewed by EBSA consultant Vicky Batlle and by members of the educational psychology team at Skylakes Psychology, is designed to demystify this relationship for educational and allied medical professionals. Grounded in evidence-based EBSA principles, it aims to promote positive outcomes for children and young people.
Parents and carers may also find it useful as a reference.
View guide
We would love to do more projects like these, and your feedback will help to make that happen. Please get in touch if you found these videos and guide useful, or if you would like to contribute to future projects.
