Emotional Disturbance (ED) is a special education category. It is not a psychiatric or clinical diagnosis and typically does not require medication. Basically ED is when emotional problems prevent a student from achieving their academic potential. ED interferes with normal social and family interaction and school performance.
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) has identified the following characteristics and behaviors of ED:
Inappropriate types of behavior under normal circumstances, such as aggression or self-injurious behavior
- Hyperactivity (short attention span, impulsiveness)
- Withdrawal (does not initiate interaction with others
- Does not initiate interaction with others
- Avoids social interaction
- Excessive fear or anxiety
- Depression or severe sadness
- Development of physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems
- Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills)
- Inability to build and maintain relationships with peers and teachers
- Learning difficulties that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Emotional Disturbance is listed as a category under special education services. Schools are required to provide additional services to students with ED. After academic and psychological testing results determine a diagnosis of Emotional Disturbance for a student, a meeting is called with parents, teachers (regular and special education), school psychologist and other Special Education staff. This team develops an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
The IEP identifies strengths and weakness of the student, sets measureable educational goals to improve academic performance and describes what services the school district will provide to help the student meet these goals.
Sometimes therapy is used to help the student learn coping skills, deal with anxiety or depression, recognize negative behavior and learn ways to change behavior.
Triumph Youth Services is a licensed residential treatment center and accredited school for teenage boys and young men. The educational staff is trained in dealing with teens with Emotional Disturbance (ED) and work with IEP’s on a daily basis.
They provide small, highly structured family environment for youth. This family-like community promotes a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors.
Triumph Youth Services has answers. Call them today.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_emotional_disturbance
http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/df/g/emotional_distu.htm
