A school social worker sees an adolescent who reports truancy and forged excuses. The appropriate initial response is to?

• A. get to know the girl to understand the meaning of her behavior
• B. immediately contact the mother and authorities
• C. label her as a delinquent
• D. refuse to engage further

Answer: (A)

Engaging the adolescent to understand what truancy and forged excuses signify in her life is the essential first step. By approaching her with curiosity, empathy, and a nonjudgmental stance, the social worker can build trust, gather her perspective, and uncover underlying factors driving the behavior. This might include school disengagement, family stress, mental health concerns, safety issues, or struggles with attendance procedures. Using open-ended questions and reflective listening helps the student feel heard and valued, which is crucial for accurate assessment and effective planning.

Choosing to know her story rather than escalating the situation immediately is important because it informs a supportive, individualized response. Jumping straight to contacting parents or authorities can erode trust and may overlook the root causes, while labeling her or shutting down engagement ignores the possibility of underlying needs that can be addressed through counseling, accommodations, or coordinated supports at school. Refusing to engage forfeits the opportunity to assess risk, confirm safety, and connect her with appropriate help.