Emotionally Disturbed Children in the Classroom

Our Understanding Special Needs series is really a wonderful collection for early childhood teachers who may have a special needs child in their classroom. Today, we are discussing Emotional Disturbance and why it effects more students than you might think.

Let’s start with the statistics. . .

• In the 2000-2001 school year, 473,663 children with emotional disturbance were provided special education and related services in the public schools
• 5% of children in the United States, ages 4 to 17 were prescribed medication for emotional difficulties

What exactly is Emotional Disturbance?

When a child exhibits emotional, behavioral or mental characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that affects a child’s educational performance. Emotional Disturbance schizophrenia, but does not apply to children who are socially maladjusted. Many children with an emotional disturbance show an inability to learn, build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships, they have inappropriate types of behavior or feelings in normal circumstances, they show a general pervasive mood of unhappiness and depression and have a tendency to develop physical symptoms of fear.

What can a teacher do to help?

Students with an emotional disorder show hyperactivity with short attention spans, so be sure to change up their activities frequently and adjust schedules accordingly. Emotional disturbance may cause the student to act out or fight, which you can eliminate by incorporating both independent and supervised small group activities with children that the emotionally disturbed child gets along with. Teachers may see some immaturity in the child and learning disabilities so the best thing to do is not push them too hard to complete all activities but rather show quality in the activities that they are focused on.

The educational programs for children with an emotional disturbance need to include attention to providing emotional and behavioral support as well as helping them to master academics, develop social skills, and increase self awareness, self control, and self esteem. Make sure the child and family have access to a qualified social worker, psychologist, guidance counselor, or other qualified personnel is need be.

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