The federal definition in the Individuals with disabilities Education act states that "Emotional Disturbance includes individuals with inappropriate behavior that is exhibited over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects the student's educational performance." Behavior can include any of the following characteristics: (1) an inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, and health factors; (2) an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships; (3) inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances; (4) a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression, and/or (5) a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. This category also includes students with schizophrenia. Individuals in this category may also be referred to as having behavior disorders, an emotional disorder, or as seriously behaviorally disabled. The following resources will help you explore this topic.

Books Published by Houghton Mifflin Company

• Hunt, N., & Marshall, K. (1999). Exceptional Children and Youth (2^nd ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company - Chapter 6.
• Kirk, S.A., Gallagher, J.J. & Anastasiow, N.J. (2000). Educating Exceptional Children (9^th ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company - Chapter 7.
• Ysseldyke, J.E., Algozzine, B., & Thurlow, M.L. (2000) Critical issues in special education (3^rd ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 75.

Books Published by Other Companies

• Algozzine, B., Serna, L., & Patton, J.R. (1998). Childhood behavior disorders: Applied research and educational practice. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
• Bauer, A.M., & Shea, T.M. (1999). Learners with emotional and behavioral disorders: An introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall.
• Coleman, M.C. (1996). Emotional & behavioral disorders: Theory and practice (3^rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Erickson, M.T. (1998). Behavior disorders of children and adolescents: Assessments, etiology, and intervention. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
• Kauffman, J.M. (1997). Characteristics of behavioral disorders of children and youth (6^th ed.). Colombus, OH: Merrill.
• Kerr, M.M., & Nelson, C.M. (1998). Strategies for managing behavior problems in the classroom (2^nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
• Kiplewica, H.S. (1996). It's nobody's fault: New hope and help for difficult children. New York: Times Books.
• Long, N.J., Morse, W. & Newman, R.G. (1996). Conflict in the classroom: The education of at-risk and troubled students. (5^th ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
• McGinnis, E., & Goldstein, A.P. (1997). Skillstreaming the elementary school child: A guide for teaching prosicial skills (rev. ed.). Champaign, IL: Research Press.
• Newcomer, P.L. (1993). Understanding and teachingemotionally disturbed children and adolescents (2^nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
• Peterson, R.L. & Ishii-Jordon,. (1994). Multicultural issues in education of students with behavioral disorders. Cambridge, MA: Brookline.
• Rhode, G., Jensen, W.R., & Reavis, H.K. (1998). The tough kid book: Practical classroom management strategies. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
• Rosenberg, M.S., Wilson, R., Maheady, L., & Sindelar, P.T. (1997). Educating students with behavior disorders (2^nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Walker, H.M., Colvin, G., & Ramsey, E. (1995). Antisocial behavior in school: Strategies and best practices. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• Walker, H.M. & Shea, T.M. (1995). Behavior management: A practical approach for educators. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• Zirpoli, T.J. & Melloy, K.J. (1997). Behavior management: Applications for teachers andparents (2^nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

Journals

• Behavioral Disorders (CEC)
• Beyond Modification
• Beyond Behavior
• Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
• Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions
• Reclaiming Children and Youth: Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Fact Sheets

• General Information about Emotional Disorders -- http://www.kidsource.com/NICHCY/emotional.disab.k12.2.html
• National Information Center on Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) Fact Sheet -- http://nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs5txt.htm

Web site Resources

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry -- http://www.med.umich.edu/psych/child/index.htm
• Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CEC) -- http://www.cec.sped.org/
• The Federal Resource Center for Special Education (emotional disturbance) -- http://www.dssc.org/frc/index.htm
• Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health -- http://www.ffcmh.org
• National Mental Health Association -- http://www.nmha.org

Popular Movies

• One flew over the cuckoo's nest (1975). United Artists
• Fisherking (1991). Columbia Pictures
• Shine (1996). Pandora Films
• Sling Blade (1996). Miramax

Online Resource Documents

• Behavioral disorders: Focus on change -- http://ericec.org/digests/e518.html
• Functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plans -- http://ericec.org/digests/e571.html
• Positive behavior support and functional assessment -- http://ericec.org/digests/e580.html
• Vocational support strategies for students with emotional disorders -- http://ericec.org/digests/e534.html