School refusal in pervasive developmental disorders.
Bright autistic kids with rigid habits are the most likely to dodge school—so make class reinforcing before refusal starts.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The doctor looked at a small group of kids with PDD. He wanted to know who refused school.
He compared them to kids with mental retardation but no autism. He checked IQ and obsessive traits.
What they found
Kids with PDD said no to school more often. The ones with higher IQ and obsessive habits refused most.
Making school fun was the best idea they gave.
How this fits with other research
Coe et al. (1997) later saw the same high-IQ group in their big chart review. They also found more depression and PTSD, not just school refusal.
Norris et al. (2010) surveyed 95 autistic students with IQ ≥ 70. Every age showed high anxiety and sadness. The risk is lifelong, not just at school entry.
Winburn et al. (2014) described kids with pathological demand avoidance. Their extreme need for control looks like the obsessive traits O'mara (1991) spotted. Same flavor, new label.
Why it matters
Screen every bright autistic learner for anxiety and refusal early. Add favorite tasks, choices, and calm spots on day one. If a child stalls or argues, treat it as a red flag, not defiance.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Of 135 autistic and/or mentally retarded youngsters, 30 with pervasive developmental disorders and 2 with nonautistic mental retardation showed school refusal according to its modified definition. School refusal was significantly more frequent in other PDDs than in nonautistic mental retardation. The intellectual level was significantly higher in PDD children with school refusal than those without it. A certain level of mental development and obsessive tendency appear necessary for PDD children to develop school refusal. In order to treat school refusal in PDD, it is important to make school a pleasant place to go and to encourage the child to attend.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 1991 · doi:10.1007/BF02206993