Strategy

Matrix Lisa Harris 10

Organizing Needs & Strategies for Intervention Purposes
Disability: Emotional Disturbance
Possibly / Common Strengths: Empathetic, Honest/open, Strong willed, Artistic

Common Disability Characteristic Evidence-based Instructional or Behavioral Strategies
Choose 6 characteristics for YOUR CHARACTER the student can learn to find school success

Academic
1. Achieve below grade level Students with ED may have a a) Movement-Using movement in the classroom is a great form of
difficult time achieving academic success due to inattention, emotional release for students with ED. It helps connect them to
withdrawal and other behaviors that are caused by their the material and keeps them engaged.
disorder. b) Drama to Teach- Students with ED are often very in touch with
their feelings so acting out different roles can be very engaging
and successful for them.
2. Short attention span- Students with ED can suffer from the a) Guided Notes- Students with ED can use the structure of the
inability to pay attention for long periods of time. This will guided notes to help keep their attention. They know what they
impact their academic performance; therefore using strategies are looking for and they know how to enter in the information
that help them keep on track with the content is beneficial. using guided notes.
b) Mnemonics- This strategy helps students make connections to
material using rhymes and acronyms. For a student with ED who is
struggling to pay attention this can be helpful when memorizing
content.

Social / School (Skills)
1. Aggressive- Students with ED may have limited coping skills. a) The Good Behavior Game- Students with ED benefit from this
If they have trouble coping with an upsetting event or other strategy because they are rewarded for following a set behavior
students, they may act out in aggressive ways. Helping them goal. This increases their personal role in behavior management
become aware and part of the group can help with this and gets them interested in earning the reward. It also promotes
behavior. cooperation with peers since the game is centered on groups.
b) Self-Regulation- This strategy teaches students to be aware of
their behavior. This is beneficial to students with ED because they
take an active role in their learning and behavior and are in charge
of their own reward, which gives them a sense of control.
2. Withdrawal from others- Students with ED may suffer from a) Cooperative Learning Groups- This strategy promotes
low self-esteem, aggressive behavior, anxiety, and depression, cooperation with peers. This is beneficial to students with ED
therefore, they may end up secluded or withdrawn. because they work alongside peers to accomplish the goal.
b) Peer Assisted Learning Strategy- This strategy allows partners
to play the role of teacher and student while learning together.
This is beneficial to students with ED because they are working
with a partner and receiving academic help as well.

Behavior / Organization
1. Disorganized- Students with ED may suffer from inattention a) Graphic Organizers- This strategy helps students with ED
and anxiety, which can affect their organizational skills in the organize their learning material so they can easily access the
classroom. content.
b) Visual Schedules- Having visual schedules in the classroom help
lower anxieties about the day ahead. This is beneficial for students
with ED because it helps them manage the day and lower
anxieties.
2. Low Self-esteem- Most students with ED will struggle with a) Positive Self Talk- Teaching students to turn their negative
low self-esteem due to factors related to their disorder. For thoughts to positive ones can help boost the self-esteem of
example, if the student struggles with an eating disorder, they students with ED
may be self-conscious about their appearance, which can then b) Praise Notes- Having the teacher acknowledge
affect their self-esteem in regards to academics. accomplishments can help a student with ED build their
confidence about their abilities and promote increased
participation and good behavior.