2. Emotional and behavioral disorders are
characterized by behavioral or emotional
responses in school programs so
different from appropriate age, cultural,
or ethnic norms that they adversely
affect educational performance.

3. Approximately 8.3 million of
children, or 14%, ages 4– 17
years old are thought to have
emotional or behavioral
disabilities
There is not an actual known
cause although several factors,
such as biological,
environmental, family, and
school have all been researched.
Rate of Occurrence and Cause

4. Behavioral characteristics
Some characteristics of children with emotional and behavioral
disabilities include:
Aggression – acting out, fighting
Learning difficulties – performing below grade level

5. Behavioral characteristics
Withdrawal – not interacting socially w/ others
Immaturity – inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor
coping skills
Hyperactivity – short attention span, impulsiveness
continued

6. Physical Characteristics
There are no physical symptoms that are
observable in a child with emotional and
behavioral disabilities. Characteristics are
identified by observing behavior patterns of a
child over a period of time.

7. Educational needs
 A major goal in helping children with emotional and
behavioral disabilities is to keep a major emphasis on
positive interventions and strategies
 Some children can function in a regular classroom
setting with the help of an aid
 Others may need a self-contained or pull out program
for all or a part of their day
 Develop positive behavior intervention plan as part of
IEP

8. Resources
 Reynolds, C. R. 2010. Behavior Assessment System for
Children. Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology. 1–2.
 http://www.bridges4kids.org/Disabilities/EmotionalD
isorder.html
 http://www.gradebook.org/favicon.ico
 Bauer, Anne and Keefe, Charlotte. Students with
Learning Disabilities or Emotional/Behavioral
Disorders.

9. Organizations
 American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry
 Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and
Supports
 Council for Exceptional Children
 Center for Disability and Development
 National Clearinghouse on Family Support and
Children’s Mental Health

10. Parent Resources
 Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
 Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center
 PARKER DIAGNOSTIC SOLUTIONS - Trust Our
Experience... > Parent Resources

11. Strategies to help in class
 Consistent and specific praise
 Word processing software help them to edit and revise
their work
 Involve parents and students in setting rules, using as
few rules as possible, and post them around the room
 Avoid making threats. Students respond better to
positive, corrective feedback
 Teach social skills

12. Bibliography
 Behavior disorders in children
 Scribd RSS feed
 Emotional Disturbance
 Emotional Behavioral Disorders in Class
 Emotional Disturbance - Project IDEAL
 http://www.theteachersguide.com/EmoDistFactSheet.
html