Separation Anxiety Disorder

School refusal behavior associated with separation anxiety disorder: A cognitive‐behavioral approach to treatment

“…Using the previous example, repeatedly showing the child that the parent will still be present in the morning, in theory, should reduce the child's nighttime separation anxiety. The child's anxiety response is expected to dissipate after repeated trials, with the child's realization that the parent and child will remain safe during separation (Farris & Jouriles, 1993). Some instances involve completely immersing the child in the feared situation until his or her anxiety subsides (Farris & Jouriles, 1993).…”

“…A second classical conditioning technique, known as extinction, involves repeatedly presenting the feared stimuli in absence of negative consequences (Farris & Jouriles, 1993). Using the previous example, repeatedly showing the child that the parent will still be present in the morning, in theory, should reduce the child's nighttime separation anxiety.…”

“…In fact, approximately 30% to 38% of children who refuse to attend school meet the diagnostic criteria for SAD (Heyne et al, 2004). In addition, 33% to 50% of SAD cases are associated with school phobia, which is characterized by an intense fear and avoidance of the school environment (Farris & Jouriles, 1993).…”

“…Counterconditioning, also known as systematic desensitization, is a common behavioral technique based on classical conditioning (Farris & Jouriles, 1993). This technique involves pairing two stimuli that elicit incompatible responses.…”

“…Typically, these interventions are based on the principles of classical conditioning, vicarious learning, and operant conditioning (Farris & Jouriles, 1993). Each technique aims to expose the child to the feared stimuli, which is a crucial component of the treatment of anxiety disorders (Farris & Jouriles, 1993).…”