"Walter's mother noted, 'I kind of noticed that he was like really aggressive. Like, instead of him expressing himself, he throws things, he throws tantrums, he bites, he scratches and the school started noticing too, and it just got worse.'"
"Walter was sent to River Bend Education Center, a public school for students labeled EBD, which stands for emotional or behavioral disorders. In Minnesota, that's the label for students who need special education services, not because they have a learning or developmental disability, but because they struggle with their emotions or behaviors."
"EBD is the only category of special education that doesn't require a diagnosis from a medical or psychological specialist. The criteria are subjective and include 'an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships' and 'a pervasive feeling of unhappiness.'"
Walter exhibited aggressive behaviors before kindergarten, prompting his teachers to remove him from class. His home life was unstable, with domestic violence and his mother's injury leading to her paraplegia. By kindergarten, Walter's behavior worsened, leading to his enrollment in River Bend Education Center, a school for students with emotional or behavioral disorders. This category, known as EBD, is for students who struggle with emotions or behaviors rather than learning disabilities, and it does not require a medical diagnosis.
Read at www.npr.org
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