Case Study Project

Case Study Project

Description/characteristics of the disability

According to the profile of the student Brenda Brook, the student falls under definition of Connecticut of Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) which is also a part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Serious Emotional Disturbance is an exhibition of a condition in which one or more of these characteristics persists for a long duration and it affects the educational performance as well, the characteristics are as following:

The inability of a student to learn without the influences of factors such as intellect, sense and health.

Unable to maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationship with peers and teachers.

Display of inappropriate behaviour under normal circumstances.

Mood swings, with general inclination towards depression and unhappiness.

Development of associated fears and physical symptoms with problems related to school.

The term defining the disability can also be known as schizophrenia. It is not applicable on children that are maladjusted socially, unless they are indentified of suffering from serious emotional disturbance.

Diagnosis

To determine whether student is eligible under the criteria set by IDEA, the emotional condition of the student will be judged by the Individualized Education Program Team (IEP Team) with the help of the defined characteristics. These questions should be determined with the negative impact on the educational capabilities of a student:

Time Duration Taken for Availing a Marked Degree:

The eligibility criterion for SED is that the student is suffering from any one of the above mentioned characteristics. It is the educational performance that is considered a judgement factor, the reaction of a student towards the environment and monitoring the developmental growth of the student.

A standard duration is not specified for the time taken, it is frequently mentioned in the literature as several months as measurement of defined standard. It helps in segregation of a student dealing with a temporarily situational trauma. In case of Marked Degree, it is an implication on the staff member of school in different situation and selected criteria's. In comparison with other students in a group, if a student exhibits severe and frequent change in behaviour as compared to students of same age group, cultural and gender group. The easier way is to check the consistency of mood swings and behaviour towards general environment.

Inability to Learn

The educational records of a student are a proof of the identification of this characteristic. If a student is not progressing academically even though there is sufficient support and strategies for education available. With the help of a differential and detailed assessment for learning inability regarding the main reasons for the doubted disability can be identified for example autism, hearing/vision impairment, speech and language disorders, traumatic brain injury, mental retardation or other medical conditions. If any of these conditions exist then a student is eligible for special education that is categorized under a disability. The identification of any of these disabilities doesn't rule out the existence of serious emotional disturbance as an associated disability, the emotional impact is also a factor that implies of the problem related to behaviour in one of these ...