what is ebd in special education

Emotional and Behavioral Disorder (EBD) is a broad term covering different mental health diagnoses. It is a condition in which a child demonstrates frequent and intense observable behaviors, either over a long period of time or to a marked degree that adversely affects the childs educational performance. EBD is exhibited in at least two different settings, at least one of which is school-related. Children with EBD have difficulties dealing with both emotion and behavior, which often makes it challenging for them to communicate behavior and regulate their emotions in their daily lives. If a child diagnosed with EBD can’t meet certain academic or behavioral expectations, they may need an individualized education program (IEP). Behavioral disabilities may lead to disruptive actions in the classroom, which can be harmful to the student with an EBD diagnosis and others around them. For most children with an EBD diagnosis, the general classroom environment in a traditional school setting will always be the preferred placement option. However, there might be additional modifications or accommodations in the classroom based on the child’s specific diagnosis. Effective, cohesive programming is necessary and presents specific challenges that require understanding the issues faced by students with EBD, advanced skills in program.