Definition
Emotional disturbance is an umbrella definition for children who are diagnosed with anxiety, bipolar disorder, conduct disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, oppositional defiant disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and psychotic disorder.
Characteristics
Characteristics of children who are emotionally disturbed include, but are not limited to:
- Hyperactivity (short attention span
- Aggression or cause self-harm
- Withdrawal
- Immaturity
- Learning disabilities
Accommodations
Accommodations for students who are emotionally disturbed include, but are not limited to:
- Close-proximity seating arrangement
- Extended time on assignments and quizzes/tests
- Reduce classroom stress
- Stay flexible, try to meet the student half-way
- Give frequent positive encouragement and praise
- Provide feedback in a helpful, non-threatening manner
Modifications
Modifications for students who are emotionally disturbed include, but are not limited to:
- Individual behavior plans
- Modify an assignment to have less words in a text or math problems
- Change grading system
- Give alternate homework
- Change presentation of material
- Creating individualized benchmarks
Resources
- Teaching Students Who Are Exceptional, Diverse, and at Risk In the General Education Classroom, Vaugh, Bos & Schumm (2013).
- Emotional Disturbance
This resource provides teachers with a definition of emotional disturbance, characteristics, and a look at specific emotional disturbance disorders.
- Emotional Disturbance Parent Support
A website dedicated to parents who have a child/spouse who are diagnosed with a disorder under the umbrella of emotional disturbance. This resource also contains links to individual websites for parents to visit for more information about a specific disorder.
- Emotional Disturbance
A resource to help teachers better understand the characteristics of students with emotional disturbance and a guide of what to look for when thinking of referring a child.
- Emotional Disturbance
A powerpoint for teachers with examples of students who have emotional disturbance.