EBSA & Autism: School Avoidance Isn’t Defiance with Caroline Sutton

About this episode

The episode discusses Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) with psychotherapist Caroline Sutton, focusing on the emotional roots of school anxiety in neurodivergent children.

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Natalie is joined by psychotherapist, author and former NHS specialist nurse Caroline Sutton to talk about Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and why so many neurodivergent children experience school as overwhelming or unsafe. When a child can’t go to school, it’s rarely about defiance. Caroline shares over 37 years of professional experience supporting children and families, alongside her lived experience as a neurodivergent parent. Together, we explore the emotional and neurological roots of school anxiety and why traditional behaviour-based approaches often make things worse. If you’ve ever been told to “just make home less appealing” or that your child is being manipulative, we hope this conversation will feel validating, hopeful and reassuring. Biography Caroline Sutton is a psychotherapist, author, and former NHS specialist nurse with over 37 years of experience supporting children and families. Drawing on her professional background and her lived experience as a neurodivergent parent, she brings a deeply compassionate approach to understanding emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and anxiety in young people…

People in this episode

Host: Natalie Tealdi

Guest: Caroline Sutton

Topics covered

• Emotionally Based School Avoidance
• neurodivergent children
• school anxiety
• psychotherapy
• parenting support

Keywords

• EBSA
• school avoidance
• neurodivergent
• anxiety
• psychotherapy
• parenting
• education

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