School dysfunction in the adolescent.

Abstract

The adolescent with school dysfunction presents a multifaceted problem to his parents, to the school, to his physician, and to himself. He struggles with the developmental tasks of adolescence against great odds, entering this important period of life discouraged by school failure and poor self-esteem. Follow-up studies demonstrate that he is at high risk for social, emotional, and psychiatric problems. Despite the pessimistic nature of most of this research, the field holds much promise. New techniques of prevention, assessment, and teaching, as well as prediction of response to education and medication, are being explored and recent research has demonstrated that adolescents with learning disabilities and hyperactivity can continue to make progress and develop into successful, happy adults.