Andrew Baiza Garcia #12

February 3, 2016
Sped 4344.253

Emotional Disturbance
Definition
IDEA defines emotional disturbance as follows:
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:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.

An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and 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."

As defined by IDEA, emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia but does not apply to children who are
socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.

Characteristics
Academic (That cannot be attributed to intellectual, sensory or health factors)

Failure in skill acquisition

Severe learning deficiencies given chronological age expectancy
No attention to class instruction; short attention span
Little motivation for academic learning

Social

Impaired ability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and
teachers
Cannot make or keep friends
Repeatedly engages in fights or misunderstandings
Cannot work with others in learning situations
Cannot play with others cooperatively
Cannot communicate with or respond to others due to an apparent lack of awareness of the real
world

Behavior

Hyperactivity (short attention span, impulsiveness)

Aggression or self-injurious behavior (acting out, fighting)
Withdrawal (not interacting socially with others, excessive fear or anxiety)
Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills)

Positive strengths

Speaks their mind when they speak.

Aware of their surroundings.
Self-sufficient doing ones own interest.
Always wants to be successful.

Andrew Baiza Garcia #12

February 3, 2016
Sped 4344.253

Instructional Strategies
Students with emotional disturbance have different attributes and as the teacher of the student it is
essential to understand and implement proper management for your student.

Stop misbehavior in time.

Plan for a variety of changes.
Make tasks clear and give your student time to complete one task before beginning another.
Give your student positive feedback when he is appropriately completing a task.
Establish and maintain clear and consistent rules. (Both academically and behaviorally)
If possible direct teach behavior and social skills in the classroom.
Manage transition times with calm and quite transitions between activities
Provide success; make sure the material is both relevant and interesting for your students

Commons classroom accommodations

Allow the student to choose oral or written assignments.

Allow the student more time to answer questions, as they may be less willing to talk and take
longer to respond.
Set up activity centers so your student can go to when he has completed required activities.
This center can act as a quiet spot where a student can go to be alone, to cry or to calm down.

Communication with Parents

The best contact to students is parents and strengthening this bond through communication will
lead to more active parents and will assist them in being informed advocates.
Teacher-parent conferences are the most popular communication so BE PREPARED! Check for
any mistakes in bookkeeping and have several positive comments to sandwich the negative
ones.
During the conference Be professional and remember the student comes first. Be and active
listener and be sure to ask for inside information on strategies used at home that might work in
the classroom

Educator Resources

Emotional Disturbance Disability Fact Sheet #5 (FS5) NICHCY Disability Fact Sheet #5 June

2010 http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/fs5.pdf
Emotional Disturbance. NICHCY Fact Sheet 5. The National Dissemination Center.
ED/OSERS/OSEP. 2010. English. http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ttasystem/teaching/Disabilities/Services%20to%20Children%20with

%20Disabilities/Disabilities/disabl_fts_00012_061105.html
Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit
https://arksped.k12.ar.us/rules_regs_08/3.%20SPED%20ELIGIBILITY%20CRITERIA%20AND
%20PROGRAM%20GUIDELINES%20FOR%20CHILDREN/PART%20I%20ELIGIBILITY
%20CRITERIA%20AGES%205-21/D.%20EMOTIONAL%20DISTURBANCE.pdf