Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Serious Emotional Disturbance
Introduction
Definition
Definition
Emotional Disturbance is one of thirteen disabilities outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Section 1912(c) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 102-321 defines children with a serious emotional disturbance as those who are from birth to age of majority who have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). For the individual to be deemed emotionally disturbed, it must be determined that the child’s condition results in functional impairment, substantially interfering with one or more major life activities, such as the abilities to eat, bathe, and dress oneself, or the abilities to function effectively in social, familial, and educational contexts.
Characteristics
Characteristics
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) has identified the following characteristics and behaviors as typical of children with emotional disturbances:
- Inappropriate types of behavior under normal circumstances, such as aggression or self-injurious behavior
- Hyperactivity (short attention span, impulsiveness)
- Withdrawal or a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression (failure to initiate interaction with others, retreat from exchanges or social interaction, excessive fear or anxiety)
- Development of physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems
- Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills)
- An inability to build and maintain relationships with peers and teachers
- Learning difficulties that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors (academically performing below grade level) [1]
SED diagnoses
SED diagnoses
- Schizophrenia
- Other Psychotic Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
- Anxiety Disorders
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Personality Disorder
Additional SED Diagnoses
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]