EBD (Emotional And Behavioural Disorder)
Before you read the webpage please read the following notes:
NOTE 1 – We are giving you an overview of this condition in a question and answer format so you have some information for when you talk to a health professional. We have not discussed how to diagnose this condition, the types of treatment available for this condition and how you as the parent can help your child. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a healthcare plan or special educational needs plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
NOTE 2 – Children can suffer from more than one condition at any one time. This is known as comorbid
NOTE 3 – The exact cause of many of the conditions we have written about is unknown. Research is continuing. There can often be a genetic component which when inherited can make an individual prone to the condition. There are also other factors which can play a part in the development of the condition and can trigger it. We have detailed these factors in each write up.
NOTE 4 – Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DISORDER (EBD)?
Emotional and behavioural disorder is when an individual child cannot build or sustain a relationship or communication with others such as their teachers, care givers, other children and their family.
This child cannot regulate their emotions so therefore their behaviour is often inappropriate.
Children with EBD are regarded as children with special educational needs. It is a mental health condition affecting the brain and how it works.
EBD does not include the normal occasional temper tantrums and the odd disruptive behaviour which is a part of the developmental process of children. EBD is when a child is severely, constantly, and continuously over a long period of time displaying emotional and behavioural disruption.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH EBD DISPLAY?
The symptoms a child with EBD may have are:
- They may have disruptive behaviour
- They usually refuse to follow rules.
- They can be immature.
- They may have intense emotions that last a long time.
- They may suffer from long periods of emotional upheaval
- They can be withdrawn
- They can have learning disorders
- They have a short attention span.
- They blame others for their actions.
- They can be argumentative and aggressive
- They have disrespect for authority.
- They are angry the majority of the time
EBD can affect how a child succeeds in school, how they cope with the demands of life, their social development and their overall cognitive functioning.
A child’s behaviour with EBD can be exhaustive and very challenging for a parent or caregiver.
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE EBD BORN WITH IT OR IS IT ACQUIRED?
The exact cause of EBD is unknown however, scientists believe there may be a genetic link so it could be an inherited condition. However, there are other factors that can contribute and increase the risk of a child developing EBD such as:
- Severe trauma leading to a disrupted and problematic childhood
- Chronic stress in the home with strict rigid living rules and punishments.
- Pregnancy and birth trauma
- Birth mother may have drunk alcohol or used drugs during pregnancy
- Malnourishment
- Severe illness
- Physical disability
- Attachment issues with parents or caregivers
- Neglect
- Abandonment.
- Emotionally distant parents
- Abuse
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF EBD?
Children aged 5 years of age can start to show the first signs of EBD although they probably will not be diagnosed until much later in life.
CAN EBD GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
EBD once diagnosed can be managed and controlled with treatment. It cannot be cured.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EBD?
There are different types of EBD. They are:
1. Anxiety disorders – Children with this EBD disorder have excessive feelings of fear, stress, restlessness, gloom, worry and uneasiness that affect their daily life, relationships and schooling. These children can be irritable, they have difficulty focusing, have palpitations, tension and disrupted sleep.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
2. Bipolar disorders – It is possible for children to suffer from bipolar disorder where they will experience periods of high energy and mood then a period of low depressive mood.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO BIPOLAR DISORDER
3. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – OCD is short for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is a mental health condition. In children consistent unwanted thoughts called obsessions can make them behave in a certain way or perform a certain action. This behaviour because of these thoughts are called compulsions. These behaviours can sometimes be repetitive.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
4. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – ADHD is short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. If your child has this condition it will affect their behaviour, attention, emotions and the ability to learn.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
5. Oppositional defiant disorder – This behavioural disorder is when there is a consistent (over 6 months) hostility and defiance towards parents, caregivers and authority. It is also referred to as ODD. This disorder is more common in boys than girls.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER (ODD)
6. Conduct disorder – Children who have this disorder are generally selfish, react aggressively to others, lack guilt feelings, can be cruel to animals, bully and threaten others, damage things, can be deceitful and can run away frequently from home.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONDUCT DISORDER
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS EBD?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for EBD. Your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage and control the condition. They will also inform you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make and refer you for further help if you need it.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS EBD CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from EBD can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has EBD you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has EBD.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns if your child has EBD. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has EBD and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.