Emotional impairment by Christina

Emotional Impairment- one or more of the following characteristics exhibited over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects educational performance: 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 behavior or feelings under normal circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fear associated with personal or school problems.

Characteristics:

Federal Definition of Emotional and Behavior Disorder
... a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects 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 circumstance;
D. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or
E. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fear associated with personal or school problems.
F. The term does not apply to children who are socailly maladjusted unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.

Learned helplessness- in children is the belief that nothing they do can stop bad things from happening.

Children with conduct disorders learn the aggressive behavior is a way of getting what they want, particularly when parental punishment is sporadic and ineffective and provides another model of aggressiveness.

Children who are victims of abuse and violence often learn to inflict those behaviors on others.

How students with emotional impairments differ:

Parents and professionals looking for the reasons that some children have externalizing disorders need to examine an array of potential influences that include the individual's biological makeup and cognitive ability, along with family factors and his or her relationship to the larger society. Emotional disorders can either be genetic or acquired. Here are some of the risk factors:

• biological
  
• family
• school
• culture and ethnic
• substance abuse
• risk for internalizing anxiety and depression
  

Assistive Technology:

Computers can be an especially useful tool for a student with a behavioral disorder because it provides an objective, neutral response to the child's sometimes provoking or challenging behaior. A computer is not capable of interacting emotionally with a child.



One of the techniques used most frequently to control the behavior of children with behavior disorders is the time-out sending students who have violated classroom rules to a secluded place in the room.

Applied Behavioral Analysis- One of the most frequently used methods of modifying students behavior.

Organizations:
The Council for Students with Behavioral Disorders- this organization is dedicated towards the professionals that work with students with behavioral disorders.

National Organization for Parents With Children in Special Education- This web page deals with educating people about children with emotional disorders.


Kirk S. , Gallagher J.J. , Coleman M.R. , & Anastasiow N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed. , pp. 183-217). Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.