• Knowledgebase: Behavioral, Developmental, and Emotional Problems

    Questions about behavioral and emotional problems, Autism, developmental delays.

    11. Since school started my child has a stomach ache each morning - Top

    Q: Since school has started, my child has gotten up every day with a stomachache. Could this be related to school? S.T.

    A: "School Avoidance” is a common thing for this time of the year. (It used to be called .school phobias but it is not a true fear). Going to school, particularly for the first two years and anytime one changes school (Jr. High/ High School) is very stressful for a child. A child’s body can express this strain by having pain in the head, stomach, throat, etc... and can even include vomiting and/or diarrhea. If theme symptom. lead to avoiding the stressful situation, this inadvertently reinforces theme symptoms. Once you or your child's physician have determined that this may be occurring with your child, the best approach is to be supportive of the child discomfort but insist that they attend school. Also, parent. should communicate this to their child's teacher so everyone can work together on thin. Once the child attends school consistently and works through their stress, the symptoms shortly disappear.

    - Updated: March 23, 2001

    [e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]-   [Search our Knowledgebase] -  [Question Not Answered?]    


    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP