How Many Children are Emotionally Disturbed?
Estimates of the number of school-age children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral disorders depend on the definitions and criteria that are used. At some point in their lives, most individuals exhibit behavior that others consider excessive or inappropriate for the circumstances. Thus, frequency, intensity, duration, and context must be considered in making judgments of disturbance. Unlike some other educational disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders are not necessarily lifelong conditions. Although teachers typically consider 10%-20% of their students as having emotional or behavioral problems, a conservative estimate of the number whose problems are both severe and chronic is 2%-3% of the school-age population. Currently, less than one-half that number are formally identified and receive special education services.
