Table 3.

A sample of quotations provided by parents in response to specific questions.

Summary of Question	Example Quotes
Q1. Parental descriptions of their CYP’s school attendance difficulties/situation	“Will go but after huge amounts of upset and panic, odd day of refusal followed by managing to go in with difficulty a day or so later” “We would manage to get him into school but he would beg not to go (heartbreaking) and feel nausea from waking until he got home (which he would not tell anyone)” “He attended school but was very distressed, would cry, did not want to go, found being at school pretty stressful (meltdowns at the end of the day)” “We always got him there - but it was hard on many days”“Occasional days off but having to carry a kicking screaming child into school everyday” “We are able to get her into school most days by carrying her...but if she was bigger...she would be missing school” “Will attend more times than not but frequently late/part of day only and does not go to lessons or if he does will read or do his own writing rather than engaging with curriculum” “It’s lasted 10 years! Coping on and off depending on which environment she was in” “Sporadic - in response to situations and difficulties at school with particular lessons, teachers or students” “Extreme withdrawal and a corresponding lack of expression/engagement”
Q2. Parental descriptions of how their CYP’s difficulties present	“Wakes me in the night crying about school” “Sleep disturbance, tummy aches and bed wetting every night prior to school” “Vomiting and incontinence at home,” “Panic on way to school” “Lashing out at myself and car on way to school and on the way home” “Attempt to run in front of traffic, attempts to eat nuts (nut allergy)” “Self harm after a difficult school day” “Attempted suicide due to unmet needs within school”