Introduction to School Attendance Problems in Youth

Chapter 1 initially offers the reader a detailed definition and description of the concept of school attendance problems in children and adolescents. The chapter briefly focuses on definitions of key terms, epidemiology, common behaviors and symptoms associated with problematic absenteeism, and short- and long-term outcomes of problematic absenteeism. However, the main focus is on how these characteristics pertain to, and illustrate, the real-life cases seen by the reader. Chapter 1 also includes an overview of the book’s approach and its theoretical basis and mechanisms of action, such as (1) a proactive focus and immediate, effective intervention, (2) frequent progress monitoring, (3) functional behavioral assessment, (4) empirically supported treatment procedures, and (5) a team-based cooperative approach among clinicians, school officials, and family members, especially parents, for implementation.