ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses developmental processes and tasks during the middle and high school years with a particular focus on the contextual changes for youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Normative developmental changes to internal factors across the cognitive, emotional, psychological, and behavioral domains are discussed. A discussion of how external factors, such as the family and school context, can impact adolescents’ development is presented and the utility of the developmental science perspective for understanding internal and external changes in combination is discussed. The importance of understanding how the context can impact the functioning and adaptation of youth with emotional and behavioral disorders is emphasized with examples of school and family experiences of youth with EBD. Lastly, this chapter advocates for utilizing knowledge about developmental processes in intervention efforts to promote adaptation and positive adjustment for youth with EBD.
