Which are the three types of indicators used to identify and assess emotional disturbance?

• A. Verbal
• B. Behavioral
• C. Environmental
• D. Verbal, Behavioral, Environmental

Answer: (D)

Understanding emotional disturbance involves looking at three kinds of indicators: verbal, behavioral, and environmental. Verbal indicators are what the student says—comments that reveal distress, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm. Behavioral indicators are observable actions and changes in actions, such as withdrawal, aggression, mood swings, decline in school performance, or irregular attendance. Environmental indicators involve the surrounding circumstances and contexts—changes at home or in the classroom, increased stress or chaos in the student’s environment, safety concerns, or shifts in routines and supports.

All three types together give the most complete picture. A student might not voice their distress, yet their behavior could signal a problem, or environmental factors could be contributing to their emotional state. Because each domain captures different evidence, the three together are used to identify and assess emotional disturbance.