According to IDEA, the federal term for EBD is emotional disturbance (ED). It is defined as a condition that exhibits one or more specific characteristics over a long period of time that adversely affects a child's educational experience.
Characteristics:
An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers
Inappropriate types of behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances
A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems
Teaching Methods
In some cases, inclusion in a general education setting may be the best way for students with disabilities to learn. However, when teaching students with EBD, that may not always be the case. Depending on the nature of the child's disorder, this will determine how much time a child will spend in a regular classroom or how much time will be spent in a classroom that is self-contained with smaller groups of children. EBD students will also work very closely with special education teachers and behavioral specialists to ensure that all of their needs are being met.