ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some background information and views about the emotional well-being and mental health of children with severe learning difficulties. In education the term “emotional well-being” is preferred to “mental health”. Mental health difficulties develop in the child from the issues that they have in all three areas – internal, interactional and environmental. Emotional well-being is a continuum, ranging from having positive mental health to having mental health problems. A child may change their position along this continuum at different times in their life. Emotionally Able promotes a whole school approach to supporting the emotional wellbeing of children with severe and complex learning difficulties. Thinking patterns include ruminative thinking and exaggeration of dangers. Children with severe and complex learning difficulties often feel unsafe and therefore anxious. Emotional well-being usually emphasises positive psychological concepts such as resilience and a positive self-concept.
