How to Get an SED Diagnosis

The Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice defines severe emotional disturbance, or SED, as one of 12 disability categories under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA further elaborates the definition to include the demonstration of several characteristics that adversely affect behavior and learning ability for at least a six-month period. People who have learning deficits not explained by health or sensory factors, those who cannot establish or maintain personal relationships or who demonstrate an extreme and pervasive angry or depressed mood may qualify for a severe emotional disturbance diagnosis. SED is not recognized as a DSM-IV diagnosis, but your doctor may use the DSM and other disorders to properly diagnosis you or your child.

Instructions

• 1

  Observe your own or your family member's behavior on a daily basis. Pay particular attention to mood, reaction to stress, interactions with others and personal appearance. A severe emotional disturbance diagnosis requires symptoms to be present for at least six months, with the understanding that these same symptoms will create impairment in functioning for a year or more.

• 2

  Create a chart to record behaviors related to self-care, community interaction, relationships with others, family interaction and school/work functioning. Observe and record the behavior in the morning, afternoon and evening. Take an assessment around the same time every day, noticing if and when symptoms are prevalent or worse.

• 3

  Talk with your family doctor or psychiatrist about an evaluation for yourself or your family member. A diagnosis of severe emotional disturbance needs to include either psychotic symptoms or a threat of danger to yourself or others. A trained doctor or psychiatrist can make this diagnosis to assist in the SED diagnosis.

• 4

  Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist about your observations of your own or your family member's behavior. Share the chart or checklist you completed in Step 2 with him. A diagnosis of SED requires a person to demonstrate serious impairment in two of the following functional areas: self-care, community, social and family relationships (one or both) or school/work performance.

• 5

  Review any prior mental health diagnoses with your doctor or psychiatrist. Conduct or personality disorders are usually co-occurring with severe emotional disturbance. If you or your child have been diagnosed with any of the following mental health conditions and met the criteria specified in Steps 3 and 4, you qualify for an SED diagnosis. Qualifying mental health disorders include substance-related, schizophrenia, mood, anxiety, sexual/gender identity, impulse-control, adjustment or personality disorders.