Emotional Impairment

1. Emotional Impairment Ryan Davis Saul Parent Brittany Hoyles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMilZEolRRU

2. Emotional Impairment (defined) • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines an emotional disturbance as being a state where a person/child demonstrates one or more of the following conditions over a certain amount of time: • An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors. • Inability to maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers. • Inappropriate types of behavior 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.

3. Evaluation Criterion • The student's performance in the educational setting and in other settings, such as adaptive behavior within the broader community. • The systematic observation of the behaviors of primary concern which interfere with educational and social needs. • The intervention strategies used to improve the behaviors and the length of time the strategies were utilized. • Relevant medical information, if any. * Evaluation must be based on data provided by BOTH a school social worker and a psychologist/psychiatrist.

4. Characteristics Less Common • Schizophrenic symptoms • Anti-Social behavior • Breaks the rules • Bullies others • A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression • A tendency to develop physical symptoms of fears associated with personal or school problems. Common • Random inappropriate outburst • Difficulties with controlling emotions • Inability to maintain healthy relationships • Constant high/low emotions. • Emotional disturbance triggered by academic or social issues. • Difficulty maintaining attention in school • A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.

5. Misconceptions • Emotionally disturbed children can completely control their feelings. (They decide when to turn them off and on) • Because of their disturbances, (EI) students automatically have a difficult time learning in the 4 core subjects. • If a child is diagnosed with being emotionally impaired they are assumed to be behaviorally impaired. • Emotionally Impaired students only fall in the racial category of African American.

6. Recommended Accommodations • Establish a quiet cool off area within the confines of the classroom, hallway, or school. • Give frequent feedback to student(s) about how they are behaving and performing throughout the day. • Involve the student in setting personal and academic goals.  (Formulating a personal behavior plan is useful in many instances.) • Communication with parents, social workers, and administration to ensure that strategies utilized are consistent at home and school. • Teach self talk / actions to relieve stress and anxiety before it becomes to great.

7. Resources to Check-Out • Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice:http://cecp.air.org/resources/20th/eligchar.asp • Emotional Disturbance: http://www.education.com/reference/article/emotional-disturbance/ • Emotional Impairment Laws and Rules: http://detroitk12.org/ossws/ei_laws.php • National Federation of Families For Children’s Mental Health: http://www.ffcmh.org/