Is a DSM-IV diagnosis required as part of the eligibility criteria for Emotional Disturbance?
No, a DSM-IV diagnosis is not required to establish an emotional condition as the term is defined in state and federal regulation. Without reiterating those criteria here, it is important to note that emotional disturbance is a condition that exists over a long period of time, to a marked degree, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. There are five sets of behavioral symptoms, any one or more of which the child might exhibit (over a long period of time and to a marked degree), to indicate that they have an emotional condition under IDEA. It is the presence of one or more of those behavioral symptoms over a long period of time and to a marked degree that an agency would use as one indicator of the presence of an emotional disturbance.
Related Questions
- Does the eligibility determination for Emotional Disturbance require the consideration and exclusion of socioeconomic factors before a student can be determined eligible?
- Is a DSM-IV diagnosis required as part of the eligibility criteria for Emotional Disturbance?
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