School Refusal Behavior

Christopher A. Kearney & Adrianna R. Wechsler & Gillian Chapman

School refusal behavior refers to child-motivated refusal to attend school or difficulties remaining in classes for an entire day. The behavior applies to 5- to 17-year-old children who are completely absent from school, who skip classes or certain sections of a school day, who are chronically tardy to school, or who attend school under intense duress that precipitates pleas for future nonattendance. Many youths display a fluctuating course of school refusal behavior that may include full absence one day, partial absence another day, and tardiness or a skipped class still another day. Acute school refusal behavior may be defined as absenteeism lasting less than 1 calendar year, whereas chronic school refusal behavior may be defined as absenteeism persisting for more than 1 calendar year. In general, school refusal behavior is considered problematic if it lasts at least 2 weeks or significantly interferes with daily functioning. School refusal behavior is distinguished ...

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