Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities

Children with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBDs) first began to be served in public schools as a result of the far-reaching 1975 special education law PL 94–142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). This special education law and its subsequent reauthorizations were influenced greatly by the civil rights movement. Students with disabilities, including those with emotional and behavioral problems, were historically excluded from school settings. The challenges associated with educating these students vary from mild to severe. This entry examines the history and current trends regarding effectively educating this diverse population of students.

History and Development of Services

Students with disabilities, including those with emotional and behavioral needs, for many years were excluded from participation in ...

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