MEGHAN STOVER NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Emotional Disturbance
How does emotional disturbance impact a students behavior &
learning ability in the classroom?

Handling Emotional
Disturbance in the
Classroom
In the classroom, a lot of students
already may have a hard time focusing,
understanding, or even wanting to be
there. Between anxiety, nervousness,
and lashing out, students who suffer
from emotional disturbance are feeling
the pressure of school to be more than
their able to handle. Below are a list of ways students with emotional disturbance can be
helped in the classroom. On the back of this page, you will find better descriptions for
these classroom techniques.

1 2 3 4 5

KEEP REWARD FAIR TREATMENT ALLOW FOR USE

CLASSROOM POSITIVE FOR ALL MINI BREAKS MOTIVATIONAL
BEHAVIOR -Often don’t STRATEGIES
RULES SIMPLE -Need to remain
respond to
-More effective focused -Tend to have
-Simple and clear situations that
teaching activities than discipline appear unfair -Build in short negative
rest period experiences in
-No more than -May feel
school
3-5 main rules “personally -Don’t bend rules
-Allow time to
attacked” that are already -Lack desire
stop teaching so
Potential rules: established
-Celebrate success students can -Take extra steps
1. Be on time catch up if need for motivation
-Positive feedback -Enforce be
2. Try your best
and rewards expected -Celebrate hard
3. Be polite consequences work
4. Respect one -Motivate good
another behavior

1
 EBD Characteristics: Hyperactivity, Aggression, Withdrawal, Immaturity, Learning Difficulties

It is important for students with emotional disturbances to feel like they are understanding and
being understood. In the classroom, EBD(emotional behavior disability) students need simple and clear
activities and rules. Teachers should focus on a small set of rules for the classroom, that should only be
change under certain circumstances. Above, are some examples of class rules. As teachers, we need
provide EBD students with simple and clear directions, and allow students to follow along during class
interactions. Some sample activities are listed; response cards, clickers, choral responding, guided notes.

In the long run, rewarded positive behavior is going to be more beneficial than disciplining the
student. When disciplining a student, it is common for them to feel like they are being personally
attacked and will learn very little from it. It is more important to celebrate the success and give the
student positive feedback- this will eventually cause students to behave positively. They will want to see
you more an an ally, rather than an adversary.

During class periods, EBD students should be given mini breaks to regain focus. They most likely
lack the maturity and emotional balance needed in order to maintain focus in the classroom for long
periods of time. It is important to build in small break periods throughout the day. During class time, we
should allow students time to catch up, by stopping or giving them extra time to finish up.

There are many ways students with EBD need to be treated just like the other students in the
classroom. An example of this would be, being treated fairly. They will often not respond well to
treatment that seems unfair to them and can trigger negative emotions. That being said, as a teacher,
don’t bend the rules and always enforce expected consequences.

Often times students with EBD tend to have a lot of negative experiences in school. This causes
lack of motivation and lack of desire, which can cause poor work habits and inappropriate behavior. In
order for students to be motivated, we as teachers need to take those extra steps to help. By celebrating
the good work and praising efforts, this can produce more motivation, hard work, and desire in a student
with EBD.

RESOURCES
1. Tips for Handling Emotional Behavior Disorder in Classrooms. (2018, May 30). Retrieved from https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/
classroom-resources/5-tips-for-handling-ebd-kids-emotional-behavior-disorder-in-an-inclusive-classroom/

2. Logsdon, A. (n.d.). Students Who Are Emotionally Disturbed Are the Highest Risk of Failing. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/
what-is-an-emotional-disturbance-disability-2162033

3. Samuels, C. A. (2018, June 20). Students With Emotional Disabilities: Facts About This Vulnerable Population. Retrieved from https://
www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/03/21/students-with-emotional-disabilities-facts-about-this.html

4. Desautels, L. (n.d.). Reaching Students With Emotional Disturbances. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/reaching-students-
emotional-disturbances-lori-desautels

5. Emotional Disturbance. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/emotional-disturbance/

6. Special Education Guide. (2013). What are Emotional Disturbances in Special Education? Retrieved from https://
www.specialeducationguide.com/disability-profiles/emotional-disturbance/