Emotional or Behavioral Disabilities

People with emotional or behavioral disabilities usually have normal IQs but perform poorly in school or in life. Their emotions and behaviors get in the way of the learning process.  

Individuals with emotional or behavioral disabilities exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: 

• Inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors
• Inappropriate behaviors or feelings such as being easily frightened or having irrational tears, screaming, loud talking or fighting
• Inability to build interpersonal relationships with peers or teachers
• A pervasive mood of unhappiness, depression or rapid mood change
• Hostile attitude, destructive and/or inappropriately impulsive behavior
• Hyperactive or withdrawn
• Needs an unusual amount of encouragement to complete a given task
• Has difficulty accepting authority figures (teachers, parents, etc)

When Working With People with Emotional or Behavioral Disabilities 

• Be as structured as possible but with allowances for individual expression

• Give the person a small amount to do at one time with praise at each step to encourage completion.
• Provide individuals with activities in which they may channel their energies in positive manner
• Give verbal and non-verbal (wink, smile) recognition for efforts
• Identify each person’s individual space
• When communicating, establish eye contact (if possible), keep questions brief and listen attentively
• Establish procedure, rules and expectations and consistently follow them
• Be prepared by having alternative approaches planned