The text-book definition tells us that "Emotional Disturbance" is 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:
A. An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors;
B. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships
with peers and teachers;
C. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;
D. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or
E. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with
personal or school problems. The term includes schizophrenia. The term
does not apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is
determined that they have an emotional disturbance (ED).
This is great information.....but what does it really mean??
Mostly that something is missing from the child's life, somethings from infancy or early childhood. They have unfulfilled basic needs and have developed negative ways to get those needs fulfilled. These are their "copying skills". Unfortunatley, these negative coping skills manifest as defiance, fighting, cussing and name calling, acting out for attention, arguing, lying, stealing...
Meet Bobby in the following video.
Students' four basic needs are INCLUSION, to be "in" or part of the group, CONTROL, to be able to make decisions in their daily lives, AFFECTION, to know there are people that there are people who like them and they can like back, and COMPETENCY, to be seen as able to do things in school. When these needs are all put together they form a sense of belonging or community.
Thank for sharing your blog. I found it very education for people who don't know a lot about emotional disturbed children. It can be a challenge for an educator to stay patient and positive with those children. great job on your blog.
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