When School is a Daily Battle: How Therapy Can Help You and Your Child

From getting ready in the morning to calls regarding behaviour, to after-school meltdowns, school can be a big stressor for parents of neurodivergent children. If school feels like a daily battle, here is how therapy can help both you and your child.

First, why is school so tough on children?

Change in Routine

Even with a set weekday morning routine, the weekend will disrupt it no matter what. Waking and eating times will differ, and the child’s destination won’t be the same, etc. This can especially be amplified after summer or winter break (for advice on preparing for back-to-school, read our article here). Throw in factors such as sports and extracurriculars, and maintaining a schedule can become quite difficult.

Sensory Issues

School is filled with loud sounds (others talking, bells, etc.), bright fluorescent lights, smells and more. These can be aversive to those who struggle with sensory processing and increase the occurrence of harmful behaviours, overwhelm, lack of focus, and more.

Feeling Different

Though the world has become much more accepting, neurodivergent students are still more likely to feel left out (Fielding et al., 2025). Isolation and social difficulties can pile onto the stress of the school environment.

Inadequate Accommodations

Some schools do not provide proper accommodations for students with disabilities. Some may provide them, but not uphold their end of the agreement. Either way, a lack of assistance can pile onto anxiousness surrounding academics.

How Can Therapy Help?

An important aspect of therapy is creating a safe space for both the parent and child to discuss their struggles. Talking to someone knowledgeable about the topic may make it easier to open up, leading to better accommodations and validation. A study by Fielding et al. in 2025 found that a large portion of school-related stress revolved around students not feeling heard when discussing their neurodivergence. Even just increasing dialogue through therapy may reduce some of the worry around school.

Furthermore, a therapist can suggest methods for creating a routine or preparing a child for a change in schedule. They can help your child (or you) spot when they may be becoming overwhelmed, as interoception can be difficult for neurodiverse individuals. Being more in tune with your feelings and body leads to quicker change (such as putting on ear buds, taking a break, eating when hungry) prior to becoming overloaded.

Therapists can also weigh in and offer guidance on advocating for accommodations, breaks, and other needs. Speaking up for yourself or your child can be difficult, but discussing it with a professional can be empowering.

Lastly, neurodivergence in school can be isolating for both the parent and the child. Talking out the trials and tribulations that come with that situation can make you feel less alone. If you feel this would be beneficial, book an appointment with our neurodivergent-affirming counsellors here. 

Source: 

Fielding, C., Streeter, A., Riby, D. M., & Hanley, M. (n.d.). Neurodivergent Pupils’ Experiences of School Distress and Attendance Difficulties. Sage Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27546330251327056