By Rebecca Heaton Hall, Esq., and Jessica K. Dirsmith, D.Ed., NCSP

Emotional disturbance is arguably the most subjective IDEA disability category and one of the most difficult to assess. In this unique resource, a school attorney and a school psychologist combine relevant case law with legally aligned assessment practices -- leading to sound identification and evaluation decisions.

It's a must-have reference for special education directors, school psychologists, attorneys and other stakeholders looking to better serve students with ED while complying with the IDEA. Along with a deep understanding of the federal ED definition, the five characteristics and elements of ED, and the social maladjustment caveat, you gain strategies to:

• Simplify the evaluation and identification processes with multitiered, multimethod, multicontext, and multirater structures
• Recognize and consider cultural, racial and gender bias to avoid overidentification of certain students
• Determine whether a student has an ED or a social maladjustment
• Apply lessons from case law to the issues and situations you face
• And more