Emotional/Behavioral Disorders

Helping individuals with an emotional/behavioral disorder to develop language that is appropriately assertive offers an alternative to acting out.

Behavior problems that persist into the elementary school years often become more significant and may be diagnosed as EBD (emotional/behavioral disorder). Research involving more than a thousand children with EBD found that over 800 children (80%) had communication skills that were below average. Almost 500 children (50%) were found to have an undiagnosed language disorder (Hollo, Wehby, & Oliver, 2014).

Difficulties with communication can be an important contributor to emotional/behavioral challenges, yet remain undetected. Providing support for individuals with EBD to develop language that is appropriately assertive offers an alternative to acting out. Encouraging words that calm, soothe, and organize give children a tangible means to develop more mature patterns of behavior. This language can be learned by teachers, parents, and therapists through my consultations and trainings.