Emotional Disturbance

Criteria

A child displays an emotional disturbance when:

1. through evaluation procedures that must include observation of behavior in different environments, and an in-depth social history the child displays one of the following characteristics:
   
   1. An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health
      factors;
   2. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with
      peers and teachers;
   3. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;
   4.  
   5. a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; and,
   6. a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or
      social problems.
2. The characteristic(s) must have existed to a marked degree and over an extended period of time. In most cases, an extended period of time would be a range from two (2) through nine (9) months depending upon the age of the child and the type of behavior occurring. For example, a shorter duration of disturbance that interrupts the learning process in a younger student might constitute an extended period of time. Difficulties may have occurred prior to the referral for evaluation;
3. The emotional disturbance adversely affects the child's educational performance.
   
   NOTE: Manifestations of an emotional disturbance can be observed along a continuum ranging from normal behavior to severely disordered behavior. Children who experience and demonstrate problems of everyday living and/or those who develop transient symptoms due to a specific crisis or stressful experience are not considered to have an emotional disturbance.