NCJ Number
113068
Date Published
1987
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the identification, characteristics, and assessment of the emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered (ED/BD) and considers the relationship between ED/BD and juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
This subpopulation of handicapped students is frequently described as withdrawn, depressed, isolative, anxiety-ridden, oppositional, asocial, or acting out. Differences in concepts of deviance, terminology, and purpose of making a diagnosis affect who is identified as ED/BD. There is, however, general agreement that such students differ from others in the chronicity, frequency, and severity with which their behaviors depart from acceptable standards. Four major patterns of deviant behaviors are conduct disorder, socialized aggression, immaturity, and anxiety-withdrawal. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, III provides information on each of these patterns and their associated features and serves as the source of most diagnostic labels. Another definition is found in Public Law 94-142. However, current definitions of ED/BD have several shortcomings. Estimates of the prevalence of ED/BD students in general and juvenile correctional populations range from 10 to 50 percent. Assessment of ED/BD among juvenile offenders may involve achievement, intelligence, personality, and/or clinical measures. A study of 60 juvenile offenders diagnosed as ED and 22 identified as having behavior problems by their teachers indicated little difference in the behavior problems and social skills of the two groups. A case study of an ED/BD offender is provided. 26 references.