Learners with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

Terminology

• IDEA uses the term emotionally disturbed.

• Behaviorally disordered is consistent with the name of the Council for Children with Behavior Disorders (CCBD).– It focuses on the clearly observable aspect of

these children’s problems – disordered behavior.

Definition• Definitional Problems

1. Lack of precise definitions of mental health and normal behavior

2. Differences among conceptual models– Professionals are guided by their beliefs about

why people behave the way the do and what we should do about it.

3. Difficulties Measuring Emotion and Behavior– Emotions and behavior are difficult to measure

precisely and often require subjective judgment.

Definitional Problems Cont.4. Relationships between ED/BD and other

disabilities• ED/BD tends to overlap with other

disabilities, usually LD and MR

5. Differences in the professionals who diagnose and serve children and youth

• Each professional group has its own reasons for serving children with ED/BD. (clinical psychologists, school psychologists, social workers etc.)

Current Definitions

• ED/BD refers to – behavior that goes to the extreme– a problem that is chronic– behavior that is unacceptable because of

social or cultural expectations

Federal Definition(i) The term means a condition exhibiting one or more of

the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked extent, which adversely affects educational performance.

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

B. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory relationships with peers and teacher;

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

D. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; orE. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated

with personal or school problems.

(ii) The term includes children who are schizophrenic. The term does not include children who are socially maladjusted unless it is determined that they are emotionally disturbed.

Federal Definition

• Some states have interpreted socially maladjusted as conduct disorder- aggressive, disruptive, antisocial behavior.

• A new definition has been proposed in 1990 by the National Mental Health and Special Education Coalition.

Advantages of the proposed definition over the federal definition:• Terminology reflects current professional preferences• Includes both disorders of emotions and disorders of

behavior• School-centered but acknowledges that disorders

exhibited outside the school setting are also important• Sensitive to ethnic and cultural differences• Does not include minor or transient problems or ordinary

responses to stress• Acknowledges the importance of prereferral

interventions• Acknowledges that children can have multiple disabilities• Includes full range of ED/BD

Classifications

• Externalizing- striking out against others• Internalizing- mental or emotional conflicts,

such as depression and anxiety• Comorbidity – the co-occurrence of two or

more conditions in the same individual• Schizophrenia – a severe disorder of thinking;

usually involves delusions, hallucinations, and psychotic episodes interspersed with periods of normal behavior

Prevalence

• Varies because there is no standard and reliable definition or screening instrument

• 6-10% of school age children exhibit serious emotional/behavioral problems

• Only 1% are identified as having ED/BD for special education purposes

• Externalizing is most common problem referred

• Boys outnumber girls in a 5 to 1 ratio

Causes

• Biological Factors

• Family Factors

• School Factors

• Cultural Factors

Identification

• Most common type-Conduct Disorder- attracts immediate attention

• Internalized problems less obvious• Schizophrenia is obvious• The younger the child, the harder to

identify• Walker feels teachers are accurate• Over refer external and under refer

internal

Identification-Screening

1. Teacher lists and ranks those with external and internal problems

2. Teacher completes two checklists- first, what behaviors in the last month, second, how often

3. Those who exhibit norms are observed by someone other than the teacher

Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics

• Intelligence and Achievement– Below normal IQ and achievement

• Social and Emotional Characteristics– Aggressive, acting out- may not respond well

to punishment– Immature, withdrawn: Infantile behavior,

isolated

Educational Considerations

• Contrasting Conceptual Models– Psychoeducational

• Life-space interviews– Understand that what they are doing is a problem

– Recognize what motivates them

– Observe consequences of their actions

– Plan alternative ways to respond in the future

– Behavioral• The behavior is the problem• Behavior is a function of environment• Control the antecedent event or consequence to control the

behavior

Educational Considerations

• Balancing Behavioral Control with Academic and Social Learning

• Importance of Integrated Services-problems exist at home, work, school, community

• Special Disciplinary Considerations: cause of misbehavior can be hard to determine

Strategies that Work

• Systematic data-based interventions• Continuous assessment and monitoring of

progress• Provision to practice new skills• Treatment matched to the problem• Multicomponent treatment• Programming for transfer and maintenance• Commitment to sustained intervention

Service Delivery Models

• many go unidentified, only the most extreme- therefore, many are treated in regular classroom.

• Goal is to reintegrate those taught outside regular classroom

• Full continuum, of placements are available

Instructional Considerations

• These students fail to imitate good modeling of other students

• Incidental social learning does not take place

• Social skills training1. Effective methods to teach basic academic

skills needed2. Social skills and affective experiences

necessary

Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Supports

• IDEA is unclear what Functional Behavioral Assessment is.– Is it assessment that is meaningful?– Is it a formal set of procedures?

• Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) includes positive teaching strategies in all areas

• Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

Early Intervention

• Definition and identification in preschool children is difficult

1. Developmental tasks are much simpler so range of normal behavior is restricted

2. Variation in child rearing practices of good parents and expectancies in different cultures

3. Development is rapid and uneven4. Most sever types of behavior appear in preschool

but difficult to tell if it is the result of another condition such as MR

Early intervention typically does not occur until extreme behaviors are exhibited.

Transition to Adulthood

• Regular class

• Consultant teacher

• Resource room

• Work-study job experience

• Special school

• Alternative schools

• Residential schools

Transition to Adulthood

• Incarcerated are underserved because they are identified as socially maladjusted

• Secondary ED youth are so varied making it difficult to develop a program

• Transition to world of work is difficult

• Transition to adulthood is complicated by neglectful, abusive or inadequate family relationships