Emotional Disabilities
Definition
Students with emotional disabilities exhibit one or more of the following five
traits over an extended period of time, to the degree that it negatively impacts their
academic performance:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
An inability to learn
An inability to foster and maintain relationships
Inappropriate behaviors
Depression
Physical symptoms relating to extreme moods
Specific conditions that fall under the umbrella of emotional disabilities include
(but are not limited to):
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorder
Childhood schizophrenia
Conduct disorders
Eating disorders
Selective mutism
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, and
Psychotic disorder
Children with emotional disabilities may be extremely anxious, immature for their
age, disassociated, violent, and prone to difficulties at school. Because the categorization
of emotional disability is an umbrella term, suspected factors vary widely and may
include biological factors (genetic, chemical, and neurological causes), family issues
(domestic violence, emotional malnourishment), school factors (inconsistency,
inappropriate expectations) and environmental factors (neighborhood, cultural
expectations).
Until recently the disorder was categorized as emotional disturbance, and is
referred to as such in some of the literature and links below.
Bibliography (General Knowledge)
1) A great fact sheet for learning the specifics of emotional disability quickly:
National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities. (2010) Emotional
Disturbance: NICHCY Disability Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/emotionaldisturbance
2) A thorough yet admittedly dense book examining current theories, policies and
practices regarding emotional disability.
Marsh, D.T. & Fristad, M.A. (2002) Handbook of Serious Emotional Disturbance in
Children and Adolescents. (1st ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Wiley.
3) Provides an overview of the causes and characteristics of the disability, as well as
some classroom strategies for parents and teachers:
Mastropieri, M.A. & Scruggs, T.E. (2007). The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for
Effective Instruction. Retrieved from
http://www.education.com/reference/article/emotional-disturbance/?page=2
4) Provides some great tips for parents about how to help their child be successful at
home and at school:
Metcalf, K. (2010) Students With Emotional Disturbances: Tips for Parents. Retrieved
from http://suite101.com/article/students-with-emotional-disturbances-tips-forparents-a264691
5) Provides some useful tips about inclusion, background sensitivity and classroom
management:
Torreno, S. (2011) Students Who Are Severely Emotionally Disturbed and Inclusion.
Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusionstrategies/67333-students-who-are-severely-emotionally-disturbed/
6) While this is a bit dated (from 1995), it does give a good overview of the very real
difficulties students with emotional disabilities face in the future:
Wagner, M. M. (1995). Outcomes for Youths with Serious Emotional Disturbance in
Secondary School and Early Adulthood. Retrieved from
http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=59&
articleid=365&sectionid=2448&submit
National Websites About Emotional Disabilities
1) The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
provides general information about emotional disability, related disorders, characteristics,
causes, and links to resources about IEPs, special education, frequently asked questions,
school help, support organizations, and additional resources.
http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/emotionaldisturbance
2) The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) promotes the education success of
individuals with disabilities. While they are an international organization, they are based
in Arlington, Virginia and their website has a plethora of links to useful, informative
articles about emotional and behavioral disabilities, related disabilities, crisis
intervention, parenting strategies, educational advice, bullying, suicide prevention – you
name it.
http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Behavior_Disorders_Emotional_Di
sturbance
3) The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education has a
mission statement to provide support for parents whose children receive special education
services. While clunky and somewhat difficult to navigate, their website provides a good
overview of issues affecting parents.
http://www.education.com/reference/article/emotional-behavioral-disorders-defined/
4) Education.com has an array of informative articles, advice, videos, and links
regarding emotional disability.
http://www.education.com/reference/article/emotional-behavioral-disorders-defined/
Education and Services
1) The Villa Maria Behavioral Clinic at Falstaff provides outpatient services,
individual and family therapy, parent training in behavior management, medication
management, and psychiatric rehabilitation services with an emphasis on involving
families in the therapeutic process. They only accept patients who are on medical
assistance.
http://baltimorecounty.md.networkofcare.org/veterans/services/agency.aspx?pid=VillaMa
riaContinuumFallstaffBehavioralHealthClinic_744_17_0
2) The Homewood Education Advocacy Resource (HEAR) is a foundling
organization of Johns Hopkins graduates and undergraduates who counsel the parents of
Baltimore public school students regarding the IEP process.
Profile - http://johnshopkins.collegiatelink.net/organization/hear/about
About - http://magazine.jhu.edu/summer-2012/parental-guidance
3) The Child Find Program is a service provided by Baltimore City Public Schools with
the purpose of identifying and evaluating any students, from birth to 21 years of age, who
are potentially eligible for special education services. Most children are referred to Child
Find by their parents for evaluation, although other state agencies may refer children as
well. After testing, the program helps parents in understanding the IEP process. Child
Find will also assist families moving into the area who have students with IEPs.
http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/Page/14023
4) The Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health is a statewide
voice for children with mental health issues. Their website has a glut of useful
information (the glossary of special education terms alone is worth visiting the site),
recommended services, advocacy groups, and ways for parents to get educated about
their child’s disability.
http://www.mdcoalition.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
5) The Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF)
is an umbrella group of non-public special education schools in Maryland. If a child has
been removed from public schools, or if parents are unhappy with their public school
placement, the MANSEF website is a good place to start exploring other options. The
website can help parents narrow down schools based on area and disability. Note: while
MANSEF itself is a non-profit organization, the schools and companies it represents are
often for-profit.
http://www.mansef.org/locate-a-school.php