Affective Needs

Definition

Every person has four areas of development: Intellectual, Physical, Social, and Emotional. Affective Needs “typically targets awareness and growth in attitudes, emotion, and feelings." (wiki article: Taxonomy of Instructional Objectives). The affective domain describes the way people react emotionally and their ability to feel another’s pain or joy (wiki article: Taxonomy of Instructional Objectives). Affective objectives typically target the awareness and growth in attitudes, emotion, and feelings" (wiki aricle: Taxonomy of Instructional Objectives). Social and emotional Learning is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions" (excerpt from CASEL website).

Within IDEA and ECEA as it relates to the provision of services for students with disabilities the need for affective support: social, emotional, and behavior is frequently referenced.

Affective Needs: Social, emotional and behavioral struggles are associated with many different IEP disability qualification categories including autism, hearing impairment, serious emotional disability, intellectual disability, multiple disability, OHI, and developmental delay.

The Definition of Serious Emotional Disability includes:

2.08 (3) (b) (ii) Impairment in social/emotional functioning as demonstrated by an inability to build or maintain interpersonal relationships which significantly interferes with the child’s social development. Social development involves those adaptive behaviors and social skills which enable a child to meet environmental demands and assume responsibility for his or her own welfare.
2.08 (3) (a) (iii) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
2.08 (3) (a) (v) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

Mental Health Office Hours

Bill Brown will be holding monthly Mental Health Office hours the first Tuesday of each month from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Learn more about office hours.

Resources

ASCA School Counseling Standards
CDE SEL Standards (within Physical Education Standards)
NASP Professional Standards
SSWAA School Social Work Standards for SEL

Examples of qualifying characteristics of social emotional and behavioral concerns include, but are not limited to:

2.08 (1) (a) (i) significant difficulty establishing and maintaining social-emotional reciprocal relationships;
2.08 (1) (a) (ii) integrated use of eye contact and body language is lacking;
significant difficulty sharing, engaging in imaginative play and developing and maintaining friendships;
2.08 (1) (b) (iii) Perseverative thinking and impaired ability to process symbolic information;
2.08 (2) (b) (v) Inconsistent performance in social and learning environments compared to typically developing peers;
2.08 (2) (b) (vi) Inability to demonstrate self advocacy skills;
The level of independent adaptive behavior is significantly below the culturally imposed expectations of personal and social responsibility;
2.08 (5) (b) (iii) Inability to demonstrate problem solving skills when such information is presented in a traditional academic curriculum;
2.08 (7) a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli;
2.08 (7) (c) an inability to manage and maintain attention, to organize or attend, to prioritize environmental stimuli, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment.

Social-emotional skills are critical for students’ learning, their readiness for college and careers, and their future success. Both research and evidence-based practice clearly show the strong connection between social and emotional development, academic learning, and success in life (Domitrovich, Dusenbury & Hyson, 2013).

What's New

Mental Health Office Hours

Bill Brown will be holding office hours will be the first Tuesday each month from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM. Session dates & topics of focus are:

Anxiety Disorders
Depression Disorders
Trauma and Stressors and Related Disorders
Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders
Disruptive, impulse-control, and Conduct Disorders

October 1, 2024
November 5, 2025
December 3, 2025
February 4, 2025
March 4, 2025

Due to logistical requirements, all participants must register for each office hour no later than two weeks in advance.

View the 2024-2025 Office Hour Recordings

View the 2023-2024 Office Hour Recordings

Prof Development

SED/Behavior PD Page

On-demand Webinars
Online Events
Online Courses
By-request Trainings

SED/Behavior Resources

General Resources

Professional Learning

8 Week Online Course: Social Emotional Learning

This 8 week online course is offered in both fall and spring semesters. The purpose of the course is to support participants in the development of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) plans and instruction based on identified building-level and student-specific needs. Individual course participants will explore the evidence-based practices and competencies involved in effective SEL planning and intervention. Assessment for lagging skills and data collection opportunities will be provided. Participants will be able to identify specific skill deficits and needs to plan for effective SEL instruction and support. Instruction will be given via the online course shell and discussion boards for collaboration with colleagues will be provided. No face-to-face opportunities or scheduled meetings are included in this course.

Listserv

The Social/Emotional/Behavioral listserv is a place for teachers and service providers working with students with Significant Emotional Disabilities to find information, encouragement, and networking opportunities.

We know that many times those working with students with significant needs may be isolated and lack the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues or find the expertise they need in a timely and safe setting. This is a place to ask questions, have discussions, and share ideas with those in the field who are having the same experiences. To subscribe, Email Caitlin Tucker with your contact information.

For more information, please contact:

Bill Brown
Phone: (720) 603-3000
Email Bill Brown

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