Emotional and

Behavioral Disorders
Maria Martin and April Paulino
ED 326: Intro to Exceptional Children
Professor Smith
What are emotional and behavioral disorders?
Disabilities characterized by behavioral or emotional responses
DSM-IV: A recurrent pattern of negative, defiant, disobedient, and hostile
behaviors towards authority figures
Losing temper
Arguing with adults
Actively defying or refusing to comply with rules
Deliberately does things to annoy people
Angry and resentful
Touchy or easily annoyed behaviors
What are emotional and behavioral disorders?
Federal Government: Uses the term emotional disturbance

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 childs educational
performance (pg. 231).
Causes and Prevention
3 general causes: biology, home and Determine which specific
community, and school behaviors may cause problems in
the future
Biology Be aware if children act outside of
Inherited from parents
Can come from prenatal exposure their age group
Home and Community Signs of external disorder in
Socioeconomic status young children: antisocial
Parenting Style behavior, set fires, cruel to
School animals, and highly aggressive
Classroom management
Teacher interaction
Classification
Externalizing Behaviors: behaviors that Internalizing behaviors: behaviors that
are directed outwards are directed towards the self

Violates basic rights of others Exhibits anti-social behaviors

Has tantrums depressed

Hostile and argues anorexic

Threatens physical harm to people or bulimic

animals

Ignores teachers reprimands Socially withdrawn

Steals: causes property loss or damage Panics

Excessive worries
Externalizing Behaviors

Hyperactivity: ADHD

Aggression: bullying, physical violence

Delinquency: committing violence

 Internalizing Behaviors
Depression: experience of guilt,
self-blame, feelings of rejection
Anxiety: intense anxiety upon
separation from family, friends, or
familiar environments
Anorexia or bulimia: common eating
disorders that occur during students
teenage years, specifically among
girls
Interventions
3 types of strategies to reduce the prevalence of the disorder:
Medical Management: prevents the condition or eliminates the
symptoms
Reducing overrepresentation: dont stereotype
School-based intervention: development of three-tiered model of
positive behavior
In the Classroom
Classroom Management
Present opportunities for students to
respond
Allow opportunities for students to make
decisions
Have students complete quick and easy
tasks before presenting a challenging task
High interaction with students
Provide instructional tasks at students
instructional level
Positive feedback and behavior praise
Instructional Accommodations
Build positive relationship
Use proactive approaches to clarify
expectations and performance
Teach relevant skills such as hand raising
Use systematic screening tools
Teach empathy, social skills, and problem
solving strategies
Understand that academics can be
frustrating and difficult for students
Technology Tools and Apps
Class Dojo
Classroom profile
Point system based upon good and bad behavior
Moody Monster Manor
Focused towards young children
Assists them in dealing with different emotions in different circumstances
MeMoves
Increases attention and releases stress
Uses a combination of music, movement, and geometric shapes