Understanding Emotional Disabilities: A Guide for Families
As a Special Education Director, I understand the complexities and challenges that families face when dealing with emotional disabilities. Emotional Disability (EmD) can significantly impact a student's educational performance, and understanding its nuances is crucial for parents and educators alike. In this blog, we'll explore what EmD entails, how it's evaluated, and strategies for managing it both at home and in school.
What is Emotional Disability?
Emotional Disability is characterized by one or more of the following traits over a long period, which adversely affects educational performance:
- An inability to learn not explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships.
- 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.
Evaluation Requirements
Determining eligibility for EmD involves several evaluations. Schools typically look at grades, discipline records, and performance on achievement tests. Psychological testing by a school psychologist includes cognitive testing and social/emotional measures. Educational testing determines current levels of achievement, while a sociocultural evaluation helps rule out environmental factors.
The evaluation report must include:
- Narrative descriptions of the student's behaviors and situations in which they occur.
- Functional assessments, if conducted.
- Attempts to address the behaviors and their results.
- Documentation supporting the duration and degree of behaviors.
- A description of how behaviors affect educational performance.
Strategies for Managing Emotional Disabilities
At Home
Parents play a crucial role in managing EmD. Here are some strategies:
- Remain Calm: Harsh responses can escalate aggression. Model calm behavior.
- Consistent Consequences: Establish clear consequences for behaviors.
- Positive Reinforcement: Praise positive behaviors to encourage repetition.
- Structure and Routine: Provide a structured environment to help manage behaviors.
In School
Schools can implement several strategies to support students with EmD:
- Clear Expectations: Clearly define and consistently follow expectations and routines.
- Positive Behavioral Supports: Implement meaningful behavioral supports and interventions.
- Regular Communication: Maintain open communication with parents to ensure consistency.
Resources and Support
There are numerous resources available for families dealing with EmD. These include guides, support groups, and professional services that can provide additional support and information.
For more information, please follow this link.
