More Than Just a Mood: Understanding Emotional Disturbance
- Lyssete Tagulao
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Definition
Emotional Disturbance (ED) is a condition that affects a student’s ability to learn and interact with others due to emotional or behavioral challenges. These struggles last over time and impact school performance. It can include depression, anxiety, mood swings, or acting out in class, and often makes it hard for the student to focus, follow rules, or make friends.
Characteristics
Students with Emotional Disturbance may:
Seem sad, angry, anxious, or withdrawn most of the time
Struggle to build or maintain friendships
Have sudden mood swings or emotional outbursts
Avoid participating or isolate themselves
Act out, break rules, or challenge authority
Have trouble focusing or staying organized
Experience fear or physical symptoms due to stress
Accommodations & Modifications
To support students with Emotional Disturbance, educators can:
Build a strong, trusting relationship with the student
Provide consistent structure, clear expectations, and routines
Use visual schedules and behavior charts
Offer short breaks or calming spaces when needed
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps
Collaborate with school counselors or mental health professionals
Use positive reinforcement and celebrate small successes
Resources
This article shares powerful insights and strategies for connecting with and supporting students who struggle with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Offers a legal definition, real-world examples, and free downloadable guides for families and teachers.
This quick 5-minute video provides practical teaching tips and shows real classroom examples of support for students with ED.
Available on Amazon or in librariesWritten by a behavior analyst and special educator, this book is full of strategies to help students with anxiety, oppositional behavior, or trauma.
Provides mental health information for youth, with classroom-friendly resources, support groups, and parent guides.
Comments