An emotional disability means an inability to learn or progress that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
The student exhibits one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree:
- A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems
- A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships
- Inappropriate behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances
- Episodes of psychosis.
Identification and eligibility for special education is determined by a case conference committee using the required assessment components. See “Required Assessment Components for Eligibility.”
When there is a suspected disability, the case conference committee must complete the ED Checklist to document the presence or absence of an emotional disability.
Note: The completion and implementation of the FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment) and BIP (Behavioral Intervention Plan) should be a component of the General Education Intervention process.