Emotional Behavior Disorders, Essay Example

Definition:  This broad category refers to children who exhibit repeated and pervasive behaviors which impact on their ability to learn and can include anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and adjustment disorders. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), such children may have difficulty expressing emotions and feelings and building  satisfactory relationships with their peers and teachers (Pacer Center, 2008).

Causes:  Emotional behavior disorders can be caused by a wide range of factors including stress, trauma, and abuse.  Studies of the central nervous system and the relationships between brain chemistry and behavior suggest a chemical linkage to the development of emotional disorders.  (Pacer Center, 2008).

Prevalence:  The overall prevalence of emotional behavior disorders in North America can be difficult to determine given the wide range of behaviors which fall into this category.  However, the U.S. Department of Education reports that almost 470,000 children and youth with serious emotional disturbances were provided services in public schools for the 1998-99 school year (National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, 2001).

Classroom Accommodations:  Modifications and accommodations are ways in which educators can assist children with emotional behavioral disorders to succeed in the classroom.  The following list is not comprehensive, but instead represents a starting point for teachers when developing a Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Classroom Environment:

• Develop individualized rules for the student
• Keep the classroom quiet during intense learning times.

Teacher Presentation/Strategies:

• Use both oral and printed directions.
• Have student repeat the directions for a task.
• Give directions in small steps and in as few words as possible.

Materials:

• Use marker to highlight important textbook selections.
• Provide summaries of chapters.

Assessments:

• Permit as much time as needed to finish tests.
• Go over directions orally.
• Provide a vocabulary list with definitions.

References

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. (2001). Definition of Emotional Disturbance. Nichey Fact Sheet Number 5. Retrieved from          http://www.parentpals.com/gossamer/pages/Detailed/685.html

Pacer Center. (2008). Emotional and behavioral disorders and children’s mental health issues. Retrieved from http://www.pacer.org/publications/ebd.asp