School Can't:

Join Kate Broderick and Randwick City Council for a practical, neurodiversity-affirming workshop designed to help parents and carers better understand school attendance difficulties.

During this free session, we will explore what may sit underneath a child’s difficulty attending school and how families can respond with curiosity, connection and appropriate support.

You will learn about:

• The difference between School Can’t, school avoidance and disengagement
• Common signs that a child may be struggling
• The role of anxiety, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning and unmet support needs
• Why pressure, punishment and reward-based approaches may not address the underlying difficulty
• Practical strategies to reduce distress and support participation
• How parents, schools and professionals can work together
• When additional support may be helpful

This workshop will focus on understanding the whole child, not simply trying to change their behaviour.

This session is suitable for:

• Parents and carers of primary or secondary school-aged children
• Families noticing increasing anxiety or distress around school
• Parents supporting children with inconsistent attendance
• Families of neurodivergent children and young people
• Educators and community members interested in understanding School Can’t

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• A clearer understanding of why school attendance may become difficult
• A more compassionate framework for interpreting your child’s behaviour
• Practical ideas you can begin using at home
• Language to support conversations with your child’s school
• Greater confidence identifying when further support may be needed