Emotional and Behavioral
Disabilities
By
Gillian Lachanski, Anikka Martin,
Deborah White, Mike Valeski
Definition of
Emotional/Behavioral
Disorders (EBD)
• IDEA says….
“A condition exhibiting one or more of the
following characteristics over a long period of
time and to a marked degree that adversely
affects a child’s educational performance:
– Inability to learn that cannot be explained by
intellectual, sensory, or health factors
– Inability to build or maintain satisfactory
interpersonal relationships with peers/teachers
– Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings
under normal circumstances
– A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or
depression
– A tendency to develop physical symptoms or
fears associated with personal or school
problems
How Many Affected?
• Difficult to determine based on variety of
disorders
• 2001-2002 school year, 473, 663 children and
youths identified as needing special services
(www.nichcy.org)
• 6 to 8 million, about 12%
(www.atstar.org/info_disabilities_behavioral.html)
Possible Causes
•
•
•
•
•
•
Neurological functioning
Psychological processes
Family history
Self-concept (low self esteem and image)
Lack of social acceptance
Changes in family structure (divorce, moving,
death, remarriage)
How Do I Assess?
•
•
•
•
Follow usual procedures for referral
Checklists
Check out Resources
Observation of the following:
– Internal – Disorders that are introversive and
intrapersonal in nature
– External – Disorders that tend to be extroversive or
interpersonal in their manifestations (under controlled,
acting out)
Internalized
• Depression:
– Feelings of worthlessness
– Pervasive mood of unhappiness
– Withdrawal
• Restricted activity levels
Externalized
•
•
•
•
Argues excessively
Physically/verbally abusive
Tantrums
Stealing, lying, cheating
Educational Implications
• IEPs with positive behavioral interventions,
strategies, and supports
• Psychological/counseling services
• Career education
Instructional Ideas
•
•
•
•
•
•
Behavior modifications
Assistive technology
Provide a highly structured classroom
Alternative assignments
Teach and provide time for relaxation techniques
Recognition
Things to Know . . .
• Types of Disorders
– http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/CA0006/
• Creative Teaching Methods
– http://www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed261811.html
• Tools for Teachers /Parents
– http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content4/coping.w.
stress.sp.ed.html
– http://www.kidsource.com/ld/disabilities.calendar.html
Teacher Resources
• Count Me In Disability Awareness Manual
(2001) available from: PACER Center, Inc., 8161 Normandale
Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044., Phone: (888) 248-0822
(toll free), E-mail: pacer@pacer.org, Web: www.pacer.org
• Disability Awareness in the Classroom: A
Resource Tool for Teachers and Students
(1999) Charles C. Thomas Publishers, 2600 S. First Street,
Springfield, IL 62704., Phone: (800) 258-8980 (toll free). E-mail:
books@ccthomas.com, Web: www.ccthomas.com
Teacher Resources cont.
• http://www.educationworld.com/ Education World
• http://www.nasponline.org/ National Association
of School Psychologists
• http://www.schwabfound.org/ Schwab foundationDownload free Guide to Assistive Technology
Works Cited
•
•
•
•
•
www.academiconcepts.org
www.NCHCY.org
www.vms.cc.wmich.edu
www.atstar.org
Gearheart, Bill, Mel Weishahn, Carol Gearheart.
The Exceptional Student in the Regular Classroom.
6 ed. New Jersey: Merill, 1996.