Disturbed and disturbing development

In this chapter the authors focus directly on children whose development becomes a cause for concern. Their behaviour may become challenging and difficult, they may appear isolated, anxious and fearful, or they may seem unhappy or disturbed. The authors look at the characteristics of these problems, at some of the explanations theat have been offered about how they arise, and at the assumptions that underlie the judgements that we as adults make of children as "a problem", "abnormal", "pathological", maladjusted" or "disturbed