Support Sheets
Sheets you can share
Four sheets from Unmasking EBSA, in plain English. These are separate from your private notes: nothing you have recorded about your child appears on them, so you can print them or hand them to anyone.
Sheet 1
Explaining EBSA to Family and Friends
Reframing the Narrative from "Won't" to "Can't"
When a child experiences Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), those outside the home often view it through the lens of behaviour or discipline. This sheet is designed to help you explain the physiological reality of your child's experience.
Sheet 2
Understanding EBSA for Brothers and Sisters
A Guide for Siblings
A short sheet written to be read with a sibling, explaining what EBSA is, why it is not their fault, and how being a kind brother or sister is what helps most.
Sheet 3
Understanding EBSA for Co-Parents
Navigating EBSA as a Team
EBSA is a challenge that requires a unified, compassionate approach. It is common for parents to see things differently, but the goal remains the same: reducing the stress on the child's nervous system so they can thrive.
Sheet 4
Explaining EBSA to Schools
Understanding Masking and the After School Collapse
One of the most common points of misunderstanding in EBSA is this: school may say a child seems fine in class, while parents describe a very different picture at home - distress, shutdown, meltdowns, exhaustion, or complete collapse. These two accounts can sound contradictory, but they often describe the same child accurately under different conditions.
These sheets explain EBSA in general terms. They are not a diagnosis and they do not replace advice about your own child. If things feel unsafe right now, please read urgent support first.