An emotional and behavioral disorder is an emotional disability characterized by the following:

1. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and/or teachers. For preschool-age children, this would include other care providers.
2. An inability to learn which cannot be adequately explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors.
3. Consistent or chronic inappropriate type of behavior or feelings under normal conditions.
4. Displayed pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
5. Displayed tendency to develop physical symptoms, pains or unreasonable fears associated with personal or school problems.

A student with EBD is a student who exhibits one or more of the above emotionally based characteristics of sufficient duration, frequency and intensity that it/they interfere(s) significantly with educational performance to the degree that provision of special educational services is necessary. For preschool-age children, these characteristics may appear within the preschool environment or in another setting documented through an extended assessment period. The student's difficulty is emotionally based and cannot be adequately explained by intellectual, cultural, sensory or general health factors.

Staff Contact

Ginny O'Connell
Program Manager
Positive Behavior Supports
1870 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
 (404) 657-9953
 (404) 651-6457
goconnell@doe.k12.ga.us

Download:

• Emotional & Behavioral Disorder Rules & Regulations

Online Resources:

• U.S. Department of Education
• Council for Children with Behavior Disorders
• Council for Exceptional Children
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services