Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a condition in which children have
excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from the people to whom
they have a strong emotional attachment. Separation Anxiety is a normal
part of children’s development but can become a problem if it lasts longer
than is developmentally appropriate. Issues that can lead to SAD include
trauma in the family due to death or illness, the birth of a sibling,
divorce, or school difficulties.
The Harris School (THS) helps children with SAD by providing them with
the tools they need to overcome their anxiety about separation. The low
teacher/student ratio allows our teachers to be very responsive to the
emotional needs of the children. The teachers of THS are trained to aid
the children and their parents at times of separation through the use of
transitional objects, physical representations of home and a loved one,
and through calls to home when appropriate. Through positive, non-punitive
interactions with teachers, and in the weekly group therapy for the older
children, our students are helped to reflect on what has hampered their
efforts in previous schools, and are given the confidence to overcome
those issues and feelings.
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