Parents of Kevin in Knivsta flagged his need for extensive school support from preschool, but were denied until his absence reached 93 percent. He now has an individual resource, but his parents say it is too late. "It's over. He has given up," says mother Susanne Andersson.
Kevin's parents noticed during preschool enrollment that he was highly sensitive and suffered from anxiety. "During enrollment, he stuck to us like a sticker and cried in front of everyone," says father Fredrik Bovet. Kevin received an ADHD diagnosis in spring 2023 and autism in summer 2025. The parents requested a dedicated student resource to assist with classroom changes, lunch, and gym class.
The school pointed out that Kevin met learning objectives, despite an anxiety-filled daily life. Absence rose: 22 percent in fall 2024, 48 percent after a class change, and 93 percent by mid-March this year. A municipal investigation indicates support measures worked at times, with child psychiatry assessing in spring 2024 that no dedicated resource was needed.
Kevin now has an individual resource, two years later. Knivsta municipality's education chief Tapio Liimatainen stresses that support was available, including a class resource shared with another student – information not shared with parents. "Support has definitely existed," he says, adding: "It is very unfortunate that the student experiences school as a source of anxiety."
