The term emotional or behavioral disorder means a disability characterized by behavioral or emotional responses so different from appropriate age, cultural, or ethnic norms that they adversely affect performance. Performance includes academic, social, vocational or personal skills.

Such a disability is more than a temporary, expected response to stressful events in the environment; is consistently exhibited in two different settings; and persists despite individualized intervention within general education and other settings. Emotional and behavioral disorders can co-exist with other disabilities, as defined by LA. Bulletin 1508.