Emotional Disability

"Emotional disability" means 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:

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

2. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers;

3. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;

4. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or

5. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. Emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia. The term does not apply to those socially maladjusted.

Common Characteristics

• • • Anti-social behavior

    • Overly withdrawn/depressed

    • Lack of social skills

    • Perform at least one year below grade level academically

Criteria

• • • Behavior significantly different than average peer

    • Behaviors impact educational performance

    • Behaviors exist for approximately 6 months

    • Not attributed to social maladjustment

Outside Resources

• Federal Agencies

  • The U.S. Departments of Education's Office of Special Education Programs

  • A Guide to the Individualized Education Program (USED)

  • Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

  • Office for Civil Rights

• State Agencies

  • Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

• Old Dominion University Effective Schoolwide Discipline

• TTAC Online – A community linking people and resources to help children and youth with disabilities.