Lesson 1: What are emotional disturbances?
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Before you begin!
Think about what emotional disturbance means to you and then watch the following video:
Definition
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) defines emotional disturbance as:
“…a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:
(A) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
(B) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
(C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
(D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
(E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.”
Note: Emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia but does not apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.
Characteristics
As you can see in the definition, emotional disturbances can affect more than an individual's emotional state. Depending on the specific disorder that a child is affected by, their social, cognitive, or physical skills may also be impacted. The National Alliance on Mental Illness states the following:
"Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life."
Some of the characteristics and behaviors seen in children who have an emotional disturbance include:
- Hyperactivity (short attention span, impulsiveness);
- Aggression or self-injurious behavior (acting out, fighting);
- Withdrawal (not interacting socially with others, excessive fear or anxiety);
- Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills); and
- Learning difficulties (academically performing below grade level).
Children with the most serious emotional disturbances may exhibit distorted thinking, excessive anxiety, bizarre motor acts, and abnormal mood swings.
Many children who do not have emotional disturbance may display some of these same behaviors at various times during their development. However, when children have an emotional disturbance, these behaviors continue over long periods of time. Their behavior signals that they are not coping with their environment or peers.
Causes
Although there is no definitive cause/causes of emotional disturbance, there are several factors that may be involved. These include: heredity brain disorder diet stress family functioning
A great deal of research goes into this every day but, at this time, researchers have not found any concrete evidence that these factors are the direct cause of behavioral or emotional problems.
According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness, as mentioned previously), mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. Further:
"Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan."
Assignment
Write a response on what you thought emotional disturbance meant before you went through this lesson and what it means to you now. Make a heading with your name and put response below it.
References
IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%2E8,c,4,i,
Mental Health Conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016, from https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions