InfoEd

EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE DEFINED

Boy standing alone in front of a school bus.

Emotional disturbance means 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:

An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors;
An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers;
Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;
A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
A tendency to develop symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems

The term includes schizophrenia. The term does not apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.

OVERVIEW OF SERVICES

boy smiling Services for ED students are provided in grades k-12. Programs are available in all middle and high schools to accommodate students in their base schools. A full continuum of services from consultative to self-contained is offered in the regular school setting. Teacher assistants provide instructional and behavioral support.

Some students with emotional disturbance require a more restrictive placement than can be offered in a base school. To meet this need, Prince William County has three school sites which house a public day program. A high degree of supervision and counseling support are provided at PACE East at Independent Hill, and PACE West in Gainesville, and Ann Ludwig in Woodbridge.

Prince William County has adapted the Skillstreaming /Prepare Social Skills curriculum from which teachers devise lesson plans to teach and re-teach the social skills necessary in the school environment. At the high school level, students have the opportunity to take two classes for credit that address social and emotional issues.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS:

Dave Lyon

Supervisor

Phone: 703.791.8922

Countess Merten

Administrative Coordinator
Phone: 703.791.8804

Ron Pannell

Administrative Coordinator
Phone: 703.791.8923