What is an ED Disability?

ED stands for “emotional disturbance”, which is a disorder recognized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Section 300.8 (c) (4) of the IDEA defines emotional disturbance as a condition that displays one or more of the following traits over an extended period and to a significant extent, which negatively impacts a child’s educational performance:

• Trouble learning that cannot be attributed to intellectual, sensory, or health issues
• Difficulty forming or sustaining interpersonal relationships with teachers and peers
• Engaging in inappropriate behaviors or experiencing inappropriate feelings in typical situations
• A consistently pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
• Developing physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school-related problems

Under this section, a social maladjustment alone is not enough to qualify a student for special education. In order to be eligible for special education and related services under the IDEA, a student must have an emotion-based disability (including those with a social maladjustment).

Maya Murphy P.C. has proudly been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked among the top firms in the nation. In addition, Managing Partner Joseph C. Maya has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Employment Law and Education Law in Connecticut. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is awarded to firms and attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the industry and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.

Our firm in Westport, Connecticut serves clients with legal assistance all over the state, including the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law matters in New York as well.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to an attorney about a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the other experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or JMaya@Mayalaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.