Social Maladjustment: An Interpretation

Abstract

The exclusionary term social maladjustment in the definition of serious emotional disturbance, used for Public Law 94–142, has been an enigma for special education. This article is an attempt to make a reasonable and limited interpretation of social maladjustment. It is important that the interpretation of this term be limited because there is a growing effort to interpret social maladjustment in a very broad way to include all disorders of social behavior. The recent Honig v. Doe (1988) decision appears to be adding impetus to this effort. Exclusion of students with antisocial behavior problems from special education apparently appears to some to be a readily available way of retaining the power of expulsion over students with antisocial behavior. This article argues that such an interpretation is not appropriate and is not consistent with the intent of the serious emotional disturbance definition. In making this argument, the article also addresses some additional issues related to the current label and definition and briefly discusses identification and programing.

Social Maladjustment and Special Education

“…This clause stipulates that students are not eligible for special education services if they are determined to be “socially maladjusted” and do not also meet criteria for ED. Although this clause has been criticized for being ambiguous and confusing (Center, 1990; Constenbader & Buntaine, 1999; Merrell & Walker, 2004; R. Skiba, Grizzle, & Minke, 1994), it has remained in each new reauthorization of IDEIA (most recent, 2004).…”

“…In 1975, when the EHA was developed, the term social maladjustment was described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2nd ed. [ DSM-II ]; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1968) as a cultural conflict resulting from problems adjusting or adapting to another cultural standard or norm (Center, 1990; Freedman, Kaplan, & Sadock, 1976). This description is a departure from current themes and is no longer a part of the current DSM (4th ed., text rev.…”

State Definitions of Emotional Disturbance

“…Socially maladjusted is not defined in the federal definition, and we are not aware of any information from the U.S. Department of Education that would help differentiate socially maladjusted from ED. Some authorities have offered definitions of the term but none is widely accepted (see Center, 1990; Forness, Kavale, & Lopez, 1993; Kauffman & Landrum, 2009; Wood et al, 1997).…”

Differentiating Social Maladjustment From Emotional Disturbance: An Analysis of Case Law

“…The differentiation of SM and ED embroils controversial policy debates about whether the public school system or juvenile justice system should be responsible for treating and ultimately rehabilitating students with conduct problems and antisocial behaviors. Advocating for a restrictive interpretation of ED eligibility, some scholars have suggested that SM reflects social problems such as drug or alcohol use and other risky behaviors or that SM indicates socialized delinquency as in gang involvement or other associations with antisocial peer groups (Center, 1990;Clarizio, 1987;Quay, 1987;Weinberg & Weinberg, 1990). Scholars from this perspective suggest that juvenile delinquency negates schools' responsibility to students' special education needs.…”