Emotional Disturbance
Emotional disturbance means a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a student’s educational performance:
The term includes schizophrenia, but does not apply to students who are socially maladjusted unless it is determined they have an emotional disturbance.
- An inability to learn that 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; and,
- A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or social problems.
- Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Criteria for Eligibility in the Educational Category of Emotional Disturbance
- Other local, state and national resources related to emotional disturbance