Emotional Behavioral Disabilities

A student with an emotional/behavior disability has persistent (is not sufficiently responsive to implemented evidence based interventions) and consistent (lasts longer than 6 months) emotional or behavioral responses that adversely affect performance in the educational environment that cannot be attributed to age, culture, gender, or ethnicity.  These demonstrated behaviors may be internally or externally based.  Internal factors are characterized by feelings of sadness, restlessness, or a loss of interest; students may demonstrate behaviors that result from thoughts and feelings that are inconsistent with actual events.  Behaviors which are externally based may include an inability to build or maintain a relationship with adults or peers, or chronic and disruptive behaviors such as noncompliance, verbal and/or physical aggression, and/or poorly developed social skills that are manifestations of internal factors.