Emotional and Behavioral Disorders ESE 380 February 19, 2009

Some Questions There is a nearly 4 to 1 ratio of boys to girls identified with emotional and behavioral disorders. How might you explain this? A student in ninth grade lashes out at his teacher, throws this book on the floor, and runs out of the room. How would you evaluate this situation?

The IDEA Definition a condition that is accompanied by one or more of the following characteristics over a long time and to a marked degree and that adversely affects a child’s educational performance  An inability to learn that 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

Additional Criteria The term emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia but does not apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless they also meet the other criteria for having an emotional disturbance.

A Long Period of Time? What do you think is a “long period of time?”

Marked Degree Frequency Duration Intensity Latency Topography

Types of Behaviors Externalizing persistently aggressive or involve acting- out and non-compliant behaviors often are characteristics of conduct and oppositional defiant disorders Internalizing includes withdrawal, depression, anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions

Major Categories of Emotional and Behavioral Conditions Anxiety disorders Mood disorders Oppositional-defiant disorder Conduct disorders Schizophrenia

Anxiety Disorders Most common childhood disorder Excessive worry, fear, or uneasiness Includes: Separation anxiety disorder Generalized anxiety disorder Phobia Panic disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder

Mood Disorders extreme deviation of mood, in either a depressed or an elevated direction or sometimes in both directions at different times Includes: Depression, which affects… oEmotion oMotivation oPhysical well-being oThoughts oSuicidal ideation Bipolar disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder a pattern of negativistic, hostile, disobedient, and defiant behaviors May include: loss of temper Arguments with adults Irritability Vindictiveness Swearing and using obscenities Blaming others for mistakes and misbehavior, and Low self-esteem

Conduct Disorder a persistent pattern of antisocial behavior that significantly interferes with others’ rights or with schools’ and communities’ behavioral expectations Includes: Aggressive conduct Property destruction Deceitfulness or theft Serious rule violations

Schizophrenia a disorder in which people typically have two or more of the following symptoms: hallucinations Withdrawal Delusions Inability to experience pleasure Loss of contact with reality Disorganized speech Contrary to popular belief, schizophrenia is NOT Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder