Emotional Disturbance

A student with an emotional disturbance has the inability to learn in school which cannot be explained by other factors, as well as the inability to build or maintain good relationships at school. These students display difficulties with behavior or feelings, and may be generally unhappy or sad. They may develop physical symptoms or fears that affect home and school.

Symptoms Of Emotional Disturbance

  • Hyperactivity (short attention span, impulsiveness).
  • Aggression/self-injurious behavior (acting out, fighting).
  • Withdrawal (failure to initiate interaction with others; retreat from exchanges of social interaction, excessive fear or anxiety).
  • Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills).
  • Learning difficulties (academically performing below grade level).
  • Distorted thinking.
  • 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 behaviors 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.
  • Low self-esteem and poor social skills.
  • Individual strengths and areas of challenge with academic tasks.
  • Difficulty adapting to home, school, and community environments.
  • Often use inappropriate ways to get attention, such as talking back to adults, refusing to do work,or making jokes.
  • Abnormal mood swings.
"Change your thoughts and you change the world."

-Norman Vincent Peale

Helpful Resources For Emotional Disturbance

American Psychological Association. The APA is also a fountain of information and support on specific emotional disturbances.
Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. The PBIS Center provides research-based information on how to provide behavioral supports to children.
Allies with Families. Allies with Families was created in 1991 to offer practical support and resources for parents and their children and youth who face serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.