How is Donny's character revealed through the thoughts and speech of other characters in Teenage Wasteland?

The thoughts and speech of other characters is one
technique used in indirect characterization.  Keep in mind that in
this short story, it is one of the most important modes of indirect characterization
because it fully supports the main theme of the story, which is the disconnection
between a troubled teenager and the adults around him.  The speech and thoughts of
others about Donny's performance in school, his behavior, and his general attitude may
or may not be entirely revealing of his true character, but they
show how his behavior is defining his character in a world where the adult expectations
and values are not understood nor lived up to by the main
character.

In the very beginning of the story Daisy learns
from the principal that her son is "noisy, lazy, and disruptive," and that he fools
around and won't respond in class.  Her response to the principal after summarizing her
strict home rules is that Donny tells his parents he doesn't have any homework or
already finished it, indicating he is lying.  Another session with the principal later
reveals (to both parents) that Donny's behavior and performance are getting
worse.

In his sessions with Cal, however, we get to see
characterization from Donny's point of view.  It is through Cal's open-ended questions
(and relationship building techniques) that Donny starts to reveal himself.  Cal later
tells Donny's parents that he believes the child is "underestimated," has low self
esteem, and doesn't feel like anyone listens to
him.

Ultimately, even though he builds a more personal
relationship with Cal, Donny's behavior never does actually change.  Instead of
admitting he failed, Cal labels Donny as "emotionally
disturbed."

Through the thoughts and speech of each of the
other adult characters in this story, it is obvious that Donny is a troubled teen whom
none of the characters fully understands.  It is also ironic, however, that it is
precisely because of the misunderstanding and disconnection he has with the people who
should care about him the most that Donny is ultimately such a
failure.