During the 2002-2003 school year, Virginia’s public schools served over 13,000 students identified as having an emotional disturbance age birth to 22. The number of students identified as having an emotional disturbance represents approximately 8% of the total number of students served in special education in Virginia’s public school divisions. Information on specific school divisions and statewide data can be reviewed at the Virginia Department of Education website under Child Count .

What is Emotional Disturbance? It is common for the terms emotional disturbance and behavioral disorder to be used interchangeably. In Virginia’s public school divisions the term emotional disturbance is used. Professionals agree that working with students identified with emotional disturbance is challenging and requires systematic educational programming and support. In observing students identified as emotionally disturbed a key characteristic is the variability and the student’s wide range of academic, behavioral, and emotional responses. Some students may require individualized behavioral intervention plans and supports .

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines emotionally disturbed as:

1. The term means a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree, which adversely affects educational performance:
   • An inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors;
   • An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers;
   • Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;
   • A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or
   • A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.
2. The term includes children who are schizophrenic, but does not include children who are socially maladjusted unless it is determined that they are emotionally disturbed.

Links to other information and resources

• Behavior Intervention and Discipline

For information from the Virginia Department of Education concerning Emotional Disturbance please contact:

Irene Walker-Bolton
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218-2120
(804) 225-2709