Therapist (virtual session) diagnoses school refusal secondary to social anxiety disorder . Prescribes gradual exposure, not force. I become the “home liaison.”
School counselor calls. Threatens truancy court. My parents freeze. I intervene and request a 504 Plan evaluation. Lena overhears and cries for three hours. Progress: zero. 30 days with my schoolrefusing sisterrar verified
Two-week mark. We create a “fear ladder” – from “touch school door” (1/10 fear) to “attend 1st period” (10/10). We are at step 3. Week 3 – Relapse and Repair Day 15: Bad day. A former friend texts, “Where have you been?” Lena spirals. Wont get out of bed. I sit in silence for two hours. Presence beats pressure. Threatens truancy court
Lena agrees to watch a 5-minute video of her school’s hallway (YouTube, found via PTO). She hyperventilates but finishes. We celebrate with hot chocolate. Lena overhears and cries for three hours
She eats lunch in the counselor’s office, not the cafeteria. Small steps.
Weekend. No pressure. We bake cookies. Normalcy feels foreign but necessary.