Coping with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders When defining students with emotional or behavioral disorders one may encounter difficulties because it is such a broad topic. There are many divisions and subdivisions of this issue. Children are presented with many different disorders and tribulations, however when these disorders are detected early and with immediate attention, their situation may be remedied. A child afflicted with emotional or behavioral disorders may exhibit signs of poor self confidence. This may lead to, but not necessarily related to, social withdrawal, task avoidance, frustration or anxiety. About three to five percent of students have some kind of emotional or behavioral disorder, however only about one percent are identified as having a disorder. The IDEA defines emotional disturbance as exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree, which adversely affects educational performance. (Salend 52). The child may exhibit an inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors. This will rule out any physical or intellectual disorders. The child may also demonstrate an inability to build or maintain good relationships with peers and teachers. Another sign of this disorder is that the child will display inappropriate behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances. This means that an affected child will act out at inappropriate times when the, so called, normal children are on task and under control. A child with an emotional or behavioral disorder may also demonstrate a general penetrating mood of unhappiness or depression. This may be more difficult to detect, but it is a very important characteristic of the disorder. Finally, the child may have a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. This disorder is so powerful that it can surpass the mental state o...
