ABSTRACT
Defining emotiona l and behavioural problems Those working in schools can tell stories o f students w ho exhibit difficult behaviour. But what is difficult behaviour? Difficult behaviour could include those students w ho constantly arrive late for class, shout and swear, destroy school property, disrupt classes to such an extent that other students are prevented from learning and in some cases threaten and attack other students and staff. Difficult or problematic behaviour could also include students w ho are extremely quiet and withdrawn. Student behaviour is an important issue, as teachers cannot teach if they cannot create an environment where it is possible for all students to learn. It is the role o f teaching assistants to aid the teachers in creating such an environment. Today this challenging or disruptive behaviour is referred to as em otional behavioural difficulties , or EBD for short. In stressing the impact that EBD has on those working in a school EBD has been defined as:
Behaviour which is manifested verbally or physically and which covertly challenges to varying degrees and in a variety o f ways – the authority o f the teacher or the school. This can include a catalogue o f comparatively m inor misdemeanours which, whilst not immediately challenging the authority o f teachers demand the expenditure o f inordinate amounts o f teacher time and energy.
