Assessment of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Emotional and Behavior DisordersCharacteristics of Emotional and Behavior

Disorders manifest as:External Behaviors Internal Behaviors

External BehaviorTemper tantrums Acting outAggressive Non-compliant High intensity, low frequency eventsDisruptive

Internal BehaviorPoor social skills, not accepted by peers

Withdrawal

Depression / Anxiety

Obsessions / Compulsions

Non-aggressive

Common EBD Diagnosis • Depression• Manic / Bipolar disorder• Oppositional defiant disorder• Conduct disorder• Schizophrenia• ADHD • Separation disorder• Obsessive compulsive disorder• Post-traumatic stress disorder• Phobias• Generalized anxiety disorder• Separation anxiety disorder

Assessment Tools: EBDScreening proceduresBehavior checklists Behavior-rating scales Observations Interviews Functional Behavior Assessment

Screening Procedure

Standardized Screening for Behavioral Disorders (SSBD) and Early Screening Project Used by Head Start to identify childrenIntervention Prevention and Services, P. L. 99-

457

SSBDUses a multiple-gating procedure:

Stage 1: Rank all students according to externalizing and internalizing behaviors

Stage 2: The 3 students that rank the highest in both behavioral dimensions are assessed by comprehensive behavior-rating scales

Stage 3: If a student score beyond a prescribed limit on the behavior-rating instrument, direct observation in a variety of settings occurs

Behavior ChecklistsDiagnosticMedical formCompleted by Pediatrician / Physician

Behavior Rating-Scales

Used during observation by:Teachers, Parents, and School Psychologists

Behavior is evaluated by:RateIntensityDurationAge-appropriateness

InterviewTeacherParentStudent-assisted

Functional Behavior AssessmentPart of the pre-referral and referral activity, IEP

development, review, and revision for students with EBD.

Information gathered will serve as the basis for a Behavioral Intervention Plan.

Used to identify:Problem behaviorThe perceived function of the behaviorAppropriate replacement behavior

Behavioral Intervention PlanPart of the IEP, the BIP identifies positive

intervention strategies that can be used to teach, state behavioral goals and reinforce appropriate behavior through interventions.

Emotional Behavioral DisordersThere is no standard test, checklist or

procedure in the disorder identification process

Intelligence and achievement tests can be used to determine or rule out specific areas of disability

Each State Education Agency determines its own guidelines for testing