Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED)

The State Department of Mental Health and Retardation Services’ 5-part definition of seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents:

• Is under 18, or is under age 21 and has been receiving services prior to the age of 18 that must be continued for maximum therapeutic benefits;
• Exhibits severe behavioral, emotional, or social disabilities that consequently disrupt the child’s academic and developmental progress, family and/or interpersonal relationships, often to the point that the child is at risk for out-of-home placement or is placed out-of-home:
• Has disabilities that have continued for an extended period of time, or on the basis of specific diagnosis by a qualified professional, are likely to continue for an extended period of time;
• Has disabilities that cannot be attributed solely to intellectual, physical or sensory deficits;
• Frequently requires intensive treatment coordinated by an interdisciplinary team involving the family, courts, education, mental health and other family service agencies.

The terms behavior disordered, emotionally disturbed, and socially maladjusted are frequently used interchangeably to describe children who are troubled and who may also cause trouble for parents, teachers, peers, and others. Estimates of the prevalence of behavior disorders vary considerably depending on whether estimates include mild as well as severe instances. One estimate places the prevalence at 15% to 19% of U.S. children and adolescents with problems requiring some form of mental health services. Factors that contribute to the development of behavior disorders vary greatly. They are often classified as genetic or congenital, versus social or psychological.

• While psychiatric diagnoses will vary, the one thing these children will have in common is their inability to handle their emotions in such a way as to not affect their lives in a negative way.
• Families know more about their child than anyone else and they are the primary resource for the worker dealing with troubled youth.
• Thus, emphasis must be placed on building a positive partnership with parents and their child.