ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a means for class teams and the whole school to understand identify and support individual children with emotional difficulties. To understand why Musa is becoming so distressed people need to address the causes, not just the symptoms, and take a long-term approach. The most important theory in helping to understand the emotional wellbeing of all children – including those like Musa – is Attachment theory. Having a child with a disability is usually an unexpected event for the parents and many find it difficult to readjust their lives. Though sometimes criticised, the theory has evolved over time and is seen as a powerful way of understanding, and helping, children with emotional difficulties and mental health problems. Attachment theory and the difficulties of developing a secure internal working model provide ways of understanding why many children with severe and complex learning difficulties become so emotionally over-reactive and distressed.
