Emotional Disturbance
The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that specifies emotional disturbance as one of the 13 categories of eligibility for special education services. Emotional disturbance is also known as serious emotional disturbance (SED) or emotional behavioral disability (EBD). By the IDEA definition, an emotional disturbance is a condition in which a child exhibits 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.
Emotionally disturbed children have an inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.They may be unable to develop and keep appropriate, satisfactory social relationships with family, peers, and adults in the school system.They may have a tendency to display inappropriate behavior or feelings in response to normal situations.They may have a pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.They may be inclined to develop negative physical symptoms or fears related to personal or school problems.
Diagnosis
The category of emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia. Children with emotional disturbance may also be diagnosed with behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, emotional disturbance is not diagnosed in children who are primarily socially maladjusted unless an underlying emotional disturbance also exists. Other disorders that fall under this umbrella include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and conduct disorders.
Risks for Students With Emotional Disturbances
Students with emotional disturbances are at risk for school failure and often require both specially designed instruction and psychotherapy or counseling services. If they don’t receive a diagnosis of emotional disturbance, however, they’re likely to be pushed out of school by punitive discipline policies such as suspension or expulsion. Children who face such policies have a high risk of dropping out of school and entering the criminal justice system. This phenomenon is colloquially known as the school-to-prison pipeline. Before they are diagnosed, children with emotional disturbances may be perceived as simply “bad” or “unruly” by teachers, administrators, and peers. Being thought of in this way can damage the self-esteem of emotionally disturbed children. These children not only feel shunned but also must work through the circumstances that led to the emotional disturbance. They may have been abandoned by their parents or sexually, physically, or emotionally abused. They may have been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as a personality disorder that will follow them throughout life, making it difficult for them to maintain friendships, romantic relationships, or professional careers.
A Word From Verywell
Parents and caregivers of children with an emotional disturbance disability must advocate for them to see to it that they’re not isolated in school or in the community. They may need to partner with parents of children having a similar experience, and/or get guidance from a mental health provider. While emotional disturbance disability is definitely a challenge, it can be managed to help children live a fulfilling life.
