Author: Education Resources Information Center

ERIC Digest 454ERIC Identifier: ED295398Publication Date: 1988-00-00Author: Zabel, Robert HSource: ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted children Reston VA. This Digest was created by ERIC, the Educational Resources Information Center. For more information about ERIC, please contact ACCESS ERIC at 1-800-LET-ERIC How Are Emotional Disturbances in Children Defined? Emotional and behavioral disturbances represent significant behavioral excesses or deficits. Many labels are used to denote deviant behavior; these labels include: emotionally handicapped or disturbed, behaviorally disordered, socially maladjusted, delinquent, mentally ill, psychotic, and schizophrenic. Each of these terms refers to patterns of behavior that depart significantly from the expectations of others. In recent years, “behavioral disorders” has gained favor over “emotional disturbance” as a more accurate label leading to more objective decision-making and fewer negative connotations. Public Law 94-142 defines serious emotional disturbance (SED) as “a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree, which adversely affects educational performance: –An inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors. –An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers. –Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances. –A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression. –A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.” (U.S. FEDERAL REGISTER, 42, August 23, 1977, pp. 42478-42479). The federal...