What is Emotional/Behavioral Disorder?

Basic information

Individuals diagnosed with emotional/behavioral problems face trouble with emotions, physical, cognitive and social skills. Behaviors of various kinds are exhibited for a long period of time enough to affect the child’s learning process. Such behaviors may come in the form of: lack of peer relationships, immaturity, depression, hyperactivity, aggression and most evidently, inappropriate behavior or feelings in regular circumstances. Such behaviors may have numerous causes which may be hereditary, stress-related, or even as a consequence of a disorder.   
Assessment

Behavior assessment is usually conducted through observation (in different scenarios) to allow professionals to find the root cause of a certain behavior in order to set preventive measures. Such assessments pinpoint the cause of the behavior, the way the behavior is displayed and appropriate replacement behaviors. 

Some teaching suggestions
  • Expose the student with behavioral issues to students with more appropriate behavior
  • Learn about what causes the behavior
  • Always remind the child of the replacement behavior wanted
  • Reward positive behavior
  • Have pre-established consequences for misbehaving
  • Set clear behavior rules and expectations
  • Use motivational strategies