History of Emotional Disturbances

By mags4401

  • International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children was organized and relevant in educating students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

  • Brown vs Board of Education

    In this case, it was argued that segregation, because of a person’s unalterable characteristics (race, disability, etc.) was unconstitutional. This case allowed for others to argue that students with disabilities have the same rights as their non-disabled peers. The Brown decision allowed for advocates and parents to argue that because education is so important in our society, a disability should not exclude a student from public education.

  • It was proposed that students needed services because of severe emotional and behavioral problems

  • The council was renamed in 1958 as the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

  • The term “emotional disturbance” was first developed by Eli Bower in the 1960s

  • An important division of the CEC, the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders, was formed in 1964

  • The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHC)

    Emotional Disturbance is one of the disability classifications listed under EHC, so students with this disability were entitled to its provisions. The six provisions of EHC include free appropriate public education, disability qualifications, nondiscriminatory assessment, least restrictive environment, individualized education programs, parent involvement, and procedural due process.

  • The passing of The Education For All Handicapped Children Act (EHC) led to the definition of an Emotional Disturbance

    A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics
    (A) inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.(B) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.(C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.(D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.(E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

  • In1988, the National Mental Health and Special Education Coalition adopted the term emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs)

  • 1988 Honig v Doe

    It interpreted the Education of the Handicapped Act to prohibit state or local schools from excluding disabled children from the classroom for dangerous or disruptive conduct growing out of their disabilities. The child should remain in the current placement during any review of proceedings.

  • EHC was renamed to IDEA

    This reauthorization expanded its list of services for students with disabilities on the IEP (individualized education program) to include social work and rehabilitation counseling. This addition means that students with emotional disturbance, a disability classification under IDEA, may now benefit from these services on the IEP

  • In the 1990s an alternative definition and the term emotional or behavioral disorder (EBD) were proposed by the National Mental Health and Special Education Coalition.

    he proposed definition and terminology are thought to be less stigmatizing, to emphasize disorders of emotions and behavior, and they include disabling disorders excluded in the federal definition. Notwithstanding widespread support from coalition members, federal language has not changed.

  • IDEA first came into being on October 30, 1990, when the "Education of All Handicapped Children Act" (itself having been introduced in 1975) was renamed "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act."

  • IDEA Reauthorization 1997

    In 1997, IDEA was reauthorized again to include a provision that addressed behavior infractions. Under this provision, a student cannot be expelled from school for misbehaving if the behavior is caused by his or her disability.

  • IDEA Reauthorization 2004

    As a result of the last reauthorization in 2004, IDEA was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Under this reauthorization, school districts could now opt to use a response to intervention system (RTI) to determine if a child has a disability that effects his or learning.

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008

    The Act emphasizes that the definition of disability should be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of the ADA and generally shall not require extensive analysis.

  • Senate Bill 100

    Senate Bill 100 explicitly requires that schools minimize exclusionary discipline practices such as suspension and expulsion, while increasing use of alternatives to suspension.