Emotional Disturbance Decision Tree (EDDT) The Emotional Disturbance Decision Tree (EDDT) is a standardized, norm-referenced scale designed to assist in the identification of children who may qualify for the federal Special Education category of Emotional Disturbance (ED). The five ED characteristics that appear in the federal criteria for ED are: an inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors; an inability to build or maintain satisfactory relationships with peers and teachers; inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; and a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. (Mean = 50; SD = 10) Rater: Father Scale T-Score Qualitative Label Inability to Build or Maintain Relationships 70 Moderate Clinical Inappropriate Behaviors or Feelings 95 Very High Clinical Pervasive Mood/Depression 70 Moderate Clinical Physical Symptoms or Fears >100 Very High Clinical Total Score 89 High Clinical Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder High Clinical Possible Psychosis/Schizophrenia High Clinical Social Maladjustment Mild At Risk Level of Severity High Severity Educational Impact High Impact Rater: Mother Scale T-Score Qualitative Label Inability to Build or Maintain Relationships 82 Very High Clinical Inappropriate Behaviors or Feelings 97 Very High Clinical Pervasive Mood/Depression 92 Very High Clinical Physical Symptoms or Fears >100 Very High Clinical Total Score >100 Very High Clinical Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Possible Psychosis/Schizophrenia Social Maladjustment Level of Severity Educational Impact High Clinical Moderate Clinical Mild At Risk Moderate Severity High Impact Rater: Teacher 1 Scale T-Score Qualitative Label Inability to Build or Maintain Relationships 83 Very High Clinical Inappropriate Behaviors or Feelings 85 Very High Clinical Pervasive Mood/Depression 88 Very High Clinical Physical Symptoms or Fears 93 Very High Clinical Total Score 92 Very High Clinical Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder High Clinical Possible Psychosis/Schizophrenia Moderate Clinical Social Maladjustment Moderate Clinical Level of Severity Educational Impact Mild Severity High Impact Rater: Teacher 2 Scale T-Score Qualitative Label Inability to Build or Maintain Relationships 83 Very High Clinical Inappropriate Behaviors or Feelings >100 Very High Clinical Pervasive Mood/Depression 85 Very High Clinical Physical Symptoms or Fears 95 Very High Clinical Total Score 98 Very High Clinical Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder High Clinical Possible Psychosis/Schizophrenia Moderate Clinical Social Maladjustment Moderate Clinical Level of Severity Moderate Severity Educational Impact High Impact Emotional Disturbance Decision Tree (EDDT) Erin Sticca and Cheryl Heath, Jonathan’s special education teachers, each completed the Emotional Disturbance Decision Tree rating scale. Responses returned from Jonathan’s teachers revealed significant levels in: inability to build or maintain relationships and inappropriate behaviors or feelings. Elevated ratings in these areas indicate that Jonathan may have difficulties maintaining relationships with peers and may display unusual behaviors/strange perceptions and feelings.
