At the end of this presentation you should be able to: Describe the characteristics of emotional or behavioral disorders. Understand the differences between biological and environmental influences. Utilize basic approaches to effectively adapt assessments for students with emotional or behavioral disorders. Understand the importance of collaboration in working with students with emotional or behavioral disorders. Chapter 5 Objectives Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Chapter Objectives

Who Is Matthew Ackinclose? A 14-year-old eighth-grade student Began having problems as early as infancy, demonstrating self-injurious behaviors Made threats to kill his mother and himself at the age of 5 Was taking up to 22 different medications At age 8, his mother made contact with a social worker who looked for his strengths, rather than focusing on his weaknesses. She found a teacher who was willing to work with Matthew as a student. She has also focused on his strengths and created an atmosphere of respect. She collaborates successfully with other teachers and professionals in order to allow Matthew to participate fully in typical age-appropriate activities. Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Understanding Individual Students

Reflection Identify outcome of each support system –Mother –Social worker –Teacher Select one support and discuss with partner How could outcome have been different without support in place? –Home life –Social abilities –Education

How Do You Recognize Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Building on students’ strength rather than focusing on deficits has become crucial –Strength-based interventions focus on developing resiliency Learning from past Developing new strategies Using new strategies Socially maladjusted –Excludes students from receiving special education services –Term is vague –Implies students are choosing to break societal rules Defining Emotional or Behavioral Disorders How Do You Recognize Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Describe the characteristics of emotional or behavioral disorders.

Defining Emotional or Behavioral Disorders How Do You Recognize Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Describe the characteristics of emotional or behavioral disorders. Figure 5-1

Components of Definition IDEA –Inability to learn - ruling out other factors –Inability to build relationships –Inappropriate behaviors –Pervasiveness mood disturbance –Physical symptoms –Does not apply to “socially maladjusted” Proposes definition –Different behavioral or emotional responses from “norm” –More than temporary response to stress –Exhibited in two different settings –Unresponsive to direct interventions –Includes mental health disorders

Definition "Seriously emotionally disturbed" is defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 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 behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

Emotional characteristics –Anxiety disorder –Mood disorder –Oppositional defiant disorder –Conduct disorder –Schizophrenia Behavioral characteristics –Externalizing behaviors –Internalizing behaviors Cognitive and academic characteristics –Over half the students also have learning disabilities. –Most have receptive and/or expressive language disorders. Describing the Characteristics How Do You Recognize Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Describe the characteristics of emotional or behavioral disorders.

Several factors probably interact together. Decisions about causes may be influenced by the evaluator’s discipline, experience, and beliefs. Determining a cause is only useful if it leads to effective interventions and preventions. Two main causes: –Biological –Environmental Stressful living conditions Child abuse School factors Identifying the Causes How Do You Recognize Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Understand the differences between biological and environmental influences.

Factors to Consider Three criteria to help in deciding whether a child's behavior is normal or a sign that the youngster needs help: The duration of a troublesome behavior The intensity of a behavior The age of the child

Approximately 1 percent of the school-age population was served for emotional or behavioral disorder in Some experts believe this is an under-identification of the actual number of students who need services. African American males are over-represented in this category.over-represented –Unavailability of culturally-appropriate assessment instruments –Concern about teacher expectations regarding appropriate behavior –Building respectful family-professional partnerships that may prevent identification Ethnically diverse groups may be more likely to experience environmental stressors that can lead to mental health problems. Identifying the Prevalence How Do You Recognize Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Describe the characteristics of emotional or behavioral disorders.

How Do You Evaluate Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Determining the presence Determining the nature and extent of general and special education and related services –Direct observation Frequency Duration Latency Topography Magnitude How Do You Evaluate Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Utilize basic approaches to effectively adapt assessments for students with emotional or behavioral disorders. Evaluating Students

Determining the Presence How Do You Evaluate Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Utilize basic approaches to effectively adapt assessments for students with emotional or behavioral disorders. Figure 5-7

Including Students How Do You Assure Progress in the General Curriculum? Describe the characteristics of emotional or behavioral disorders. Figure 5-8

Adapting assessment –Self-managementSelf-management Can decrease disruptive behavior and maintain appropriate behaviors, even in the absence of a teacher Augmenting instruction –Conflict resolution Students learn effective communication, anger management, and taking another’s perspective Conflicts usually occur because of resources, needs, or goals Teaches problem solving and successful decision making Planning Universally Designed Learning How Do You Assure Progress in the General Curriculum? Utilize basic approaches to effectively adapt assessments for students with emotional or behavioral disorders.

Service learning –Students develop skills through active participation and structured reflection in organized activities to meet community needs. –Students in service learning are less likely to exhibit rebellion or delinquency and more likely to cope effectively with life challenges. –Creates collaborative partnerships for learning –Can prepare students to make a living –Allows people in a community to see that students with emotional or behavioral disorders can contribute positively in a work environment Teachers must collaborate effectively with parents. Collaborating to Meet Students’ Needs How Do You Assure Progress in the General Curriculum? Understand the importance of collaboration in working with students with emotional or behavioral disorders.

A Tragic Outcome… The Columbine shootings Two troubled youth Warning signs

What Can You Learn from Others Who Teach Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? The Early Childhood Years Johns Hopkins Prevention Intervention Research Center Classroom-centered intervention –Curriculum enhancements, behavior management strategies, and additional supports for students not performing adequately Family-school partnership intervention –Teachers receive training in communication with parents; parents receive weekly home learning and communication activities Combining both classroom-centered intervention and family-school partnership intervention may yield the greatest benefits. Early Childhood What Can You Learn from Others Who Teach Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Understand the importance of collaboration in working with students with emotional or behavioral disorders.

The Middle and Secondary Years LaGrange Department of Special Education Provides a wraparound approachwraparound Families can receive behavioral support, in-home counseling, case management, or parent advocacy training based on the individual needs of each child. This approach has created a support network of families. Middle/Secondary What Can You Learn from Others Who Teach Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Understand the importance of collaboration in working with students with emotional or behavioral disorders.

The Transitional/Post-Secondary Years Canada’s YouthNet/Reseau Ado Supports youth who are homeless Two functions –Providing a support group from young people to discuss mental health issues –Linking youth to youth-friendly mental health professionals In groups, professionals serve as facilitators rather than leaders Has been successful in helping some teens leave the streets and become employed Transitional and Post Secondary What Can You Learn from Others Who Teach Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? Understand the importance of collaboration in working with students with emotional or behavioral disorders.

A Vision for Matthew’s Future Preparing to enter high school and work with new teachers Still focusing on improving social skill and a more positive relationship with his family Planning to work with a work placement during his junior year