A Programmatic Approach To Supporting Students Requiring

Emotional SupportIDEA Identification, Assessments, Monitoring, and

Partnerships

Emotional Disturbance Defined

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, commonly referred to as IDEA, defines emotional disturbance as follows:“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 child’s educational performance:

A. An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.

B. An inability to learn that build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.

Emotional Disturbance Defined

C. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal conditions.

D. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression

E. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

“As defined by IDEA, emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia but does not apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.

Identification

The accurate identification of students with an emotional disturbance requires A School wide Positive Behavior Support Model in place at the school level, referred commonly as SWPBS.

Schools utilizing SWPBS utilize a framework with Response to Intervention (RTII) that relies upon research-based interventions, monitoring of progress, and the analytic analysis of results from a compilation of assessments

SWPBS Model for Intervention

SWPBS implemented effectively represents a screening tool of ALL students to identify the target population of students with academic and behavioral needs.

SWPBS is based upon a three-tiered model.

TIER ITier I is referred to as the UNIVERSAL TIER

Foundation levelSystem of supports provided to all studentsExpectations for ALL students are clearRules, routines, and physical arrangement explicitBehaviors are taughtConsistent policy enforced by administration

TIER 2

Tier 2 is referred to as the SECONDARY TIER

Interventions target students “at risk” (5-10% of students) Increased cues and prompts are provided to follow

expectations outlined/addressed at Tier I Increased instructional practices and explicit teaching of

behavioral expectations

TIER 3

Tier 3 is referred to as the TERTIARY TIERTier 3 interventions target 1-5% of the student

population with challenging behaviorsStudents requires individualized assessment plans in

the formation of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to provide support to chronic behavior

Behavioral interventions require individualized planning, monitoring of goals, and development of Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP)

The TIER 3 Student The education of students with emotional disturbance

must be based on supports provided in the Least Restrictive Environment

The development of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)and Positive Support Plan (PBSP) will target the interventions utilized to promote optimal learning (Subsequent Learning Provided in Accompanying Presentations, Behavior Progress, Module 1, 2, and 3)

Effective Emotional Support Programs

Students in need of a more restrictive environment outside the general education setting require teachers and environments with clear implementation of classroom management principles

The Effective Classroom and the Effective Teacher will implement strategies, monitor progress, and maintain rigor in academic presentation of instructional level content

The Effective ClassroomClearly defined expectations that are classroom

and student specificExpectations are limited in number to promote

generalization throughout the classroomExpectations are stated in the positiveExpectations are discretely taught to determine

success and understandingExpectations are based upon systems of

reinforcement to determine success and follow-through by all students

The Effective Classroom

Visible routines are in place, understood, and reinforced daily.

Students can clearly communicate the routines/procedures for specific academic and behavioral expectations

Directions and rules are stated in the positive they teach and inform students what to do They provide instruction for how to perform those

routines that are not exhibited by the students

The Effective ClassroomScheduling can be an essential component of

the successfulness of a programDetailed schedules allow for students to visually and

mentally organize their school dayScheduling allows for optimal learning by preparing

for instructional models aligned to students’ needs (small group, whole class, individualized)

Scheduling allows for planning effectively for transitions Support students by signaling start and end of

expectations

The Effective Classroom

Attention given to the physical arrangement

Consideration for presentation of content, arrangement of furniture, access to resources, assignment of seating, organizational structures

Promote optimal learning by addressing individualized specially designed instruction for students (SDI’s).

The Effective TeacherEstablishes, teaches, and assesses expectations of

appropriate behavior

Uses observational data to determine intervention plan to increase positive behavior

Implements results of Reinforcement Surveys to determine likelihood of reoccurrence of challenging behaviors

Possesses sensitivity to individualized needs of students while maintaining a structure, routine, and system of organization in the classroom to monitor ALL students

The Effective TeacherImplements, Monitors, and Reports progress on

both academic and behavior goals

Implements Academic and Behavior Research-Based Interventions

Academic interventions determined at the school level, (ie, Corrective Reading, Corrective Math, Achieve 3000, Lexia, Reading Mastery)

Behavioral Interventions Can be accessed through AIMSWeb Behavior (professional development offered 2011-2012)

Determines alternative behaviors that can be implemented

Quality Program ChecklistAn observational tool to determine systems are

in place

Can be used long term to determine overall progress and effectiveness of an emotional support program

Can be self-reflective to determine individual teaching needs

Provides immediate feedback to assess the structural arrangement and academic and behavioral expectations for all students

Connections with Behavioral Health Services

Children with emotional and behavioral may often need additional supports to promote their social/emotional functioning in the home and school.

Supports can be coordinated through a level of services, depending on the individual needs of the students.

Treatment Plans and Behavior Plans

Students receiving Coordinating Services often have treatment plans and school teams should be consulted in the development of such plans.

Similarly, school teams should invite Behavioral health service providers to IEP team meetings when developing Positive Behavior Support Plans

While these plans are two separate plans, and PBSP’s are mandated in the development of IEP’s for students with ED, they should be committed to the same goals.

Coordination at the School Level

Referrals for students with problematic behaviors can be coordinated at the school level, accessing the counselor and/or resource specialist.

While coordinator or service initiates with the parent, school teams can be key team members in supporting the delivery and navigation of such services.

School teams need to become partners with parents to support the total development of the student

Interagency LinkageWhen students with emotional needs engage in

behaviors that are impacting all aspects of both social and academic development, interagency meetings can help identify those supports that will help the student

School teams are responsible for reporting on the academic and behavioral expectations impacting educational success

School teams collaborate with agencies to support a continuum of services

The Supported StudentStudents who are provided with the optimal

level of supports, coping strategies, and effective, research-based interventions can be taught appropriate behavioral expectations

When we are committed to instruction in the Least Restrictive Environment utilizing a team approach to support behavior, we are increasing the success for that student.