problem children
Challenging young ones
Problem children are kids who cause persistent trouble through misbehavior, defiance, or difficulty adapting to expectations at home or school.
The term extends to anything chronically troublesome within a group: The accounting department has always been our problem child.
The singular form is more common in figurative use.
Difficult to control
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- misbehavingConducting oneself improperly
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
tantrums · troublemaker · disruptive · noncompliant · obstinate · willful · recalcitrant · intractable
Performing below one's capability
- truancyUnauthorized absence from school
- special needsAtypical developmental or learning conditions
- IEPPersonalized learning accommodation document
- learning difficultiesImpairments affecting knowledge acquisition
remediation · dropout · achievement gap · detention · suspension · expulsion · mainstreaming · inclusion
Neurodevelopmental focus impairment
- attachment disorderDisrupted emotional connection capacity
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- emotional dysregulationPoor control over feelings
developmental delay · depression · neglect · abuse · behavioral issues · early intervention · autism spectrum · sensory processing
Purposeful involvement to change course
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- play therapyPsychotherapy using games
- family therapyTreatment involving related members
- behavioral therapyPsychotherapy targeting observable actions
social worker · treatment plan · cognitive-behavioral · trauma-informed · parenting support · group therapy · residential treatment · case management
Difficulties in raising offspring
- sibling rivalryCompetition between children sharing parents
- family stressStrain from kinship dynamics
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- boundariesLines marking separation
consistency · tough love · scapegoat · black sheep · acting out · attention-seeking · blended family · caregiver burnout
unruly
Difficult to control
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- misbehavingConducting oneself improperly
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
rebellious · tantrums · troublemaker · disruptive · noncompliant · obstinate · willful · recalcitrant · intractable · unmanageable
underachievement
Performing below one's capability
- truancyUnauthorized absence from school
- special needsAtypical developmental or learning conditions
- IEPPersonalized learning accommodation document
learning difficulties · remediation · dropout · achievement gap · detention · suspension · expulsion · mainstreaming · inclusion · tutoring
ADHD
Neurodevelopmental focus impairment
- attachment disorderDisrupted emotional connection capacity
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- traumaLasting psychological wound
emotional dysregulation · developmental delay · depression · neglect · abuse · behavioral issues · early intervention · autism spectrum · sensory processing · impulse control
intervention
Purposeful involvement to change course
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- play therapyPsychotherapy using games
- family therapyTreatment involving related members
behavioral therapy · social worker · treatment plan · cognitive-behavioral · trauma-informed · parenting support · group therapy · residential treatment · case management · psychotherapy
parenting challenges
Difficulties in raising offspring
- sibling rivalryCompetition between children sharing parents
- family stressStrain from kinship dynamics
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
boundaries · consistency · tough love · scapegoat · black sheep · acting out · attention-seeking · blended family · caregiver burnout · support group
problem childrenhonor students
Academically distinguished pupils
high achievers · gifted children · overachievers · success stories · class leaders
problem, problems, problematic, problematically, child, children, childish, childishly, childlike