Academic achievement for elementary school children with emotional and behavior disorder

The environment in which a child grows in can have either positive or negative effects on a child. The factors that lead to emotional and behavior disorders in children can be difficult to precisely identify (Walker & Sprague, 2000). In class teacher often identify this student but they are mistaken for defiance, these leads to the student being punished for their frequent misconduct in class and in return the student becomes even more rebellious. As is factual of most disabilities, the specific causes of emotional or behavioral disorders remain subtle. However, relationships between some causal factors and this disability are becoming clearer. For example, children who experience physical abuse have a higher probability of being identified with emotional or behavioral disorders (Cauce et al., 2000). A link between the factors of poverty and this disability is apparent as well (Children's Defense Fund [CDF], 2004; Hosp & Reschly, 2002). And it is likely that for some children, a biological explanation will emerge (Forness & Kavale, 2001).

For these students to achieve teachers have an important role to play in ensuring that their academic potential is utilized. The most basic way for teachers to begin teaching this students is first by identifying the students and their behaviors and give them the attention they require. it is likely that students with this disorder often are distressed, uneasy and frightened for no apparent reason. In an inclusive class of such students, teachers should consider following these simple remedies to help such students and avoid leaving them out in the syllabus.

Ensure that you keep the class rules simple and clear. Rules, which might be considered one form of communicating expectations, may constitu...

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... It is also necessary for teachers to ensure that there is equal treatment for all students in your class. This will help you avoid favoring students with EBD and ADD over the other students and vice versa.

Teachers, who handle students with EBD, should consider using motivational teaching strategies. It is unfortunate that most of these students are often exposed to negative experiences in school and this reduces their morale in studying and they do not feel the need to strive and excel in their academics. It is therefore required that the teacher, implements strategies that are motivational and encouraging for the students to increase their want to study and visualize success. Rewards and positive feedback from the teacher will go a long way to ensure that the student becomes a better performer and participates in class activities more often. (Lewis & Sugai, 1999)