a comprehensive review

1. Emotional/
Behavioural
Disorder (EBD)
Presenters:
Allison Graham-Bryan | Aneisha Hylton | Georgia Stephenson
Johnnel Coote| Joy Brown | Joshcia Lawrence- Brown
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2. Definition of EBD
Landrum (2011) asserts that one fundamental problem with
defining EBD involves a simple question: “What is normal?”
Issues include:
.
(Sciarra et al., 2022)
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3. Definition of EBD
(Garner et al., 2013)

4. Definition of EBD
Garner et al., 2013)

5. Characteristics of EBD
Externalizing behaviours: Impulsiveness,
Disturbs peers, Refuses to follow rules, Lies,
Argues excessively, does not comply with
directions, temper tantrums, Disrespects
authority, Complains, Vandalizes,
Internalizing behaviours: Withdrawn,
Immaturity, Hardly plays with others their age,
Depression, Phobias, Challenges in
making/keeping friends, difficulties concentrating,
Insomnia
Low academic achievement: Poor behaviour
correlates with low academic achievement.
Disruptive behaviour affects engagement with (Heward, 2014)

6. Characteristics of Common EBD
Conduct disorder- aggression,
deceitfulness, destruction and violation of
rules
Oppositional Defiant Disorder-
frequent temper tantrums, fails to follow
instructions, arguing,easily annoyed by
others, refuse following rules, irritating
Anxiety Disorder- trembling, having an
increased heart rate, feeling nervous,
increase heart rate, breathing rapidly,
sweating, feeling weak or tired, trouble
concentrating
(Heward, 2014)
Other types of EBD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
Schizophrenia, Phobias, Anorexia nervosa, Selective mutism, Post
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7. Causes of EBD
Biological Factors
Genetics
Behavioural
problems such as
schizophrenia,
mood disorder
and ADHD, may
have a genetic
basis.
Brain
Disorder
Many individuals
who have brain
disorders
experience
problems with
emotional and
behaviour.
Temperament
Positive temperament
is correlated with
resilience to stress
while a difficult
temperament at an
early stage increases
the likelihood of
behaviour problems in
adolescence.
(Heward, 2014)

8. Causes of EBD
Environmental Factors
Community
Exposure to crime
and violence
Predisposition to
delinquent
behaviours
Home
Significant chronic stress in the home
Authoritarian parenting style with rigid,
excessive rules and punishment
Permissive parents with few if any
expectations, limits, or establishment of
acceptable behaviours.
Disinterest, distant parents
Abuse
Violence in the home
Divorce or emotional upset at home
School
Bullying
Peer rejection
(Heward, 2014)

9. (Sprague, 1999 as
cited in Heward ,
2014)

10. Identification of EBD
(Heward, 2014)
Challenges
:
Schools do not usually use systematic
means of identification.
Identification is always more difficult with
younger children because the behavior of all
young children changes quickly and often.
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Some children with internalizing behaviors go
undetected.
Children often receive no intervention.
Suspension and expulsion do not count as
intervention.
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11. Identification of EBD
(Heward, 2014)
Step 1:
Screening
● Identifying those with
symptoms of EBD/ at
risk for EBD
● Examples of Screening
Instruments: Child
Behaviour Checklist,
Behavioural and
Emotional Rating Scale
Step 2: Pre-Referral Interventions/RTI:
Response to Intervention Model/ Positive
Behavioural Supports.
● Includes direct observation and measurement of
behaviour (frequency, duration, latency, topography,
and magnitude)
● Includes Functional Behavioural Assessment
● Provides empirical support for the need for formal
psychological assessment.

12. (Tibbets, 2013)
Identification of EBD
Step 3: Psychological/Psycho-educational Assessment:
● Referral for formal assessment/ special education, completed by
clinical psychologist or multidisciplinary team.
● Diagnosis relies on interpretation of subjective multi-source
feedback using psychometric questionnaires or screening tools.
● May include: developmental histories, direct interview, observations
across settings, behavioral checklists and rating scales , cognitive
and achievement testing, Socio-emotional testing (personality tests,
projective tests)

13. Prevalence
● 1% of all school children.
● 3% to 6% of all students.
● Males are far more likely
than females to be
identified as having an
emotional disturbance.
● Important factors to note
are gender and race.
(Heward, 2014)
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14. References
Garner, P., Kauffman, J., & Elliot, J. (2013). The SAGE handbook of emotional and
behavioral difficulties. SAGE.
Heward, W. L. (2014). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (10th
ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Poon-McBrayer, K. F., & Lian, M. J. (2002). Special needs education: Children with
Exceptionalities. Chinese University Press.
Sciarra, D. T., Austin, V., & Bienia, E. J. (2022). Working with students with emotional
and behavioral disorders: A guide for K-12 teachers and service providers. Vernon Press.
Tibbetts, T. (2013). Identifying and Assessing Students with Emotional Disturbance,
Brookes Publishing. ProQuest Ebook Central.