truancy
Last reviewed 01/2018
Truancy differs from school refusal in that the child is not prevented by neurotic anxiety from getting to school, but by a stronger desire to do something else like play in the park or watch television. It has an association with conduct disorder.
Persistent truancy is uncommon in primary school children. The incidence of truancy increases throughout secondary school and becomes highest during the final years of secondary education.
Many truants spend the days out from school in groups.
Often truants are performing poorly at school and come from impoverished homes.