Causes and Treatments of
Emotional Behavioral Disorders
By:
EDSEL G. OPLAS
MAED SPED 1B
There are a few root causes of emotional and behavioral disorders, which include instability in
home life, a history of trauma or adverse childhood experiences, and family history of behavioral
or psychiatric conditions.
Causes of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
It is believed that some of the risk factors and potential causes for EBD include instability in home
life, traumatic or adverse experiences, and history of behavioral disorders within the family of the
person suffering. Past physical, sexual, or psychological abuse are risk factors for EBD.
Other factors which increase the possibility of developing EBD include:
 Malnutrition include overweight, underweight, obesity, inadequate vitamins and minerals.
 Substance abuse during pregnancy of the biological mother
 Too rigid or too lenient of parenting style, parenting style can affect everything from your child's
self-esteem and physical health to how they relate to others.
 Neglect, is an act of caregivers (e.g., parents) that results in depriving a child of their basic needs,
such as the failure to provide adequate supervision, health care, clothing, or housing, as well as
other physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs
Treatment for EBD depends on both the type and
severity of the EBD. Assessment and planning an
individualized approach are the best methods of
practice for the treatment of EBD currently. This can
include interventions made by the school in the form of
an IEP, or an Individualized Education Plan.
IEP's are created by a multidisciplinary approach in which a
school psychologist, the student's teachers, and sometimes
other related professionals discuss and formulate
appropriate interventions to help the student with an
emotional disability.
Social skills training and parenting education may also be
helpful.
Sometimes
therapy
and
psychotropic
pharmaceuticals are utilized if the student has a more
severe emotional disturbance.
Psychotropic medications are used to treat mental health
disorders. There are five main types of psychotropic
medications, and each type has its own specific uses,
benefits, and side effects. The doctor can help you decide
which psychotropic medication is right for the student.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is a federal law
enacted with the intention of protecting the rights of students with
disabilities. In order to be considered to have an _emotional
disturbance (which is how IDEA classifies emotional or behavioral
disorders), according to IDEA, at least one of the following diagnostic
criteria must be met:
Learning difficulty not attributed to intelligence, health, or sensory
factors
Inability to experience happiness most of the time
Difficulties with peer and/or adult relationships
Development of medical problems routed in psychological
problems
Unacceptable behaviors present in the classroom or other settings
Diagnosis
It is important to consult a mental health professional if a child may have a
behavioral disorder. A specialist can diagnose the disorder through an
assessment process. This may include:
•
•
•
•
child observation
behavior checklists
standardized questionnaires
interviews with parents, caregivers, or teachers
It is not possible for parents or caregivers to diagnose behavioral disorders
themselves. An early diagnosis can significantly improve the effectiveness of
treatments.
But many child psychologists will not diagnose a behavioral
disorder in very young children, particularly those of
preschool age or younger. This is because it can be challenging
to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior in this
age group.
Over 80% Trusted Source of preschoolers have mild tantrums
occasionally. Because young children experience huge
developmental changes in a short period of time, they may
outgrow short-term behavioral difficulties.
The management of behavioral disorders can vary depending on the
child’s needs, their family’s needs, and the type and severity of their
disorder. Approaches that may help include:
 Parent management training: This helps parents and caregivers
manage their child’s behavior, learn effective ways of communicating
with them, and effective ways of setting rules and boundaries. For
young children, this is often the main approach.
 Individual therapy: This can help older children and adolescents learn
techniques for managing their emotions and responding to stressful
situations.
 Family therapy: This may help household members learn how to talk
to each other about emotions and problems, and find ways to solve
them.
 Social or school-based programs: These programs help children and
adolescents learn how to relate to peers in a healthy way.
 Support for learning difficulties or disabilities: Professional support
with learning difficulties may improve the child’s well-being and help
them get on better at school.
 Medication: If a child has a coexisting disorder, such as ADHD or a
mental health condition, medication can reduce the symptoms. But
medications do not cure behavioral disorders.
Caregivers should speak with a pediatrician if they think their
child may be showing signs of a behavioral or developmental
disorder. The doctor may refer the child to a specialist, such as
a:
 developmental-behavioral pediatrician
 child psychologist
 child psychiatrist
 pediatric neurologist
Sources: https://www.healthyplace.com/parenting/behaviordisorders/what-causes-emotional-and-behavioral-disorders
https://study.com/academy/lesson/emotional-behavioral-disordersdefinition-characteristics-causes.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/behavioral-disorders-inchildren#diagnosis