EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR

DISORDERS AND SLP’S

Morgan Schabo
INVOLVEMENT
AGENDA:
1.What are Emotional Behavioral Disorders?
2.The Controversy
3.Relationship between EBD and
Communication
4.Speech-Language Pathologist’s Role
5.Multidisciplinary Team
6.My Stance
EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR DISORDERS
"Emotional or behavioral disorders" are an established pattern of one or more of the
following emotional or behavioral responses:
(EBD)
A. withdrawal or anxiety, depression, problems with mood or feelings of self-worth;
B. disordered thought processes with unusual behavior patterns and atypical
communication styles; or
C. aggression, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.
(Minnesota Administrative Rules)

● Anxiety disorders ● Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disord

● Bipolar disorder
● Psychotic disorders
● Obsessive-compulsive disord
er
er
*
● Oppositional-defiant disorder
● Conduct disorder
(Peterson, 2022)
 INTERNALIZING AND EXTERNALIZING
BEHAVIORS
INTERNALIZING
● Social withdrawal
● Feelings of loneliness or guilt
● Unexplained physical symptoms,
i.e. headaches and stomachaches
not due to a medical condition
● Not talking to or interacting with
others
● Nervousness or irritability
● Fearfulness
EXTERNALIZING
● Throwing tantrum
● Hitting, kicking, biting
● Throwing objects
● Verbal, hostile, and/or
relational aggression
● Disruption
● Oppositional/defiance
● Impulsivity/hyperactivity
● Lying
● Bullying
 THE CONTROVERSY
Is the area of behavior within the speech-language
pathologist’s scope of practice?
(Falls, 2007)
(Benner, G. J., Nelson, J. R., & Epstein, M. H., 2002)
 Communication Aggression,
difficulties hyperactivity, or
impulsivity.
Decreased access
to/ease of learning EBD

(Elleseff, 2021)
 WAYS THAT COMMUNICATION DEFICITS
FUEL EBD OUTBURSTS
“If a child does not have the skills to clearly express
their thoughts and needs, this will cause frustration”
(Barnes, 2022).
Outbursts, tantrums,
physical aggression
Expressive
Unwilling to follow
Receptive directions,
noncompliance
Pragmatic
Disrespectful,
inappropriate
responses
 Outbursts,
THE SLP’S ROLE Teach functional tantrums,
phrases, “I want ___”, physical
“help me please”, etc. aggression
Expressive
Create visual Unwilling to
Receptive representations of follow
schedule/directions directions,
noncompliance
Pragmatic Role-play common
interactions to increase Disrespectful,
social awareness inappropriate
responses
 THE SLP’S ROLE
Assess children who have Emotional
Behavior Disorders.

Educate other professionals on the

connection between behavior and
communication.
Case 1
Cindy, an 8-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with a severe expressive-receptive
language disorder and ADHD, did not understand time concepts (e.g., “after lunch,”
“tomorrow”) and would have intense, prolonged tantrums when asked to shift from
one activity to another. She would pester her mother if she knew that an exciting trip
was planned in the future. When driving in the car, she often became agitated if there
was a change in the route or in the timing. The speech-language pathologist worked
with her mother and teacher to develop a picture schedule and calendar, as well as
other visual cues. Her mother expressed amazement when she was able to explain,
in the visual format, the afternoon’s plans and by simply reviewing the visual schedule
with Cindy when she appeared to become distressed or confused was able to abort
the usual angry outburst (Sundheim & Voeller, 2004).
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
● Parents
“All members contribute valuable
perspectives on the best and the most
● Teachers successful intervention strategies for the
● School counselors child” (Elleseff, 2021)

● Psychologists
● Speech-language pathologists
● Occupational therapists
● School administrators
 MY STANCE
Speech-language pathologists need to be included in the team of professionals working with
children with Emotional Behavior Disorders in the school setting for the following reasons:

a. High prevalence rate of language disorder presence in children with EBD’s

b. ALL behavior is communication
 REFERENCES
Barnes, A. (2022, June 30). Speech and Language Delays Can Lead to Behavior Problems. Expressable.Com.

https://www.expressable.com/learning-center/social-emotional-academic/speech-and-language-delays-can-lead-to-behavior-problems

Benner, G. J., Nelson, J. R., & Epstein, M. H. (2002). Language skills of children with EBD: A literature review. Journal of Emotional and

Behavioral Disorders, 10(1), 43–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/106342660201000105

Elleseff, T. (2021). Behavior Management Strategies for Speech Language Pathologists. Laviinstitute.com.

https://www.laviinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Behavior-Management-Strategies-for-Speech-Language-Pathologists.pdf
Falls, J. O., Joyce Olson,Chippewa. (2007, August 20). What About Behavior? Considerations for School Speech-Language Pathologists.
SpeechPathology.Com. from https://www.speechpathology.com/articles/what-about-behavior-considerations-for-1217

Peterson, T. (2022, January 11). What Are Emotional and Behavioral Disorders?, HealthyPlace.
https://www.healthyplace.com/parenting/behavior-disorders/what-are-emotional-and-behavioral-disorder

Sundheim, S. T. P. V., & Voeller, K. K. S. (2004). Psychiatric Implications of Language Disorders and Learning Disabilities: Risks and

Management. Journal of Child Neurology, 19(10), 814–826. https://doi.org/10.1177/08830738040190101001